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Areas of expertise

Minimally invasive implant surgery

Minimally invasive implant surgery aims to place the implant with as little disturbance to gum and bone as possible.

Where the case allows, the gum is not opened with a wide incision (flapless). Planning is done on three-dimensional imaging (CBCT); in computer-guided surgery the implant position is transferred with a guide made from that plan.

The aim is less tissue trauma and the most efficient use of the patient's existing anatomy. Which technique is suitable is decided after bone volume, gum structure and general health have been assessed.

  • 3D (CBCT) planning
  • Incision-free approach where suitable
  • Implant system chosen per case
Send your X-ray for this treatment

This page is for general information. The right treatment for you is decided after examination and imaging.

One Anatomy. Two Surgical Philosophies.

A thin ridge, two paths.

After tooth loss the jaw loses width as well as height. When the ridge is too narrow for a standard implant, two different paths can be taken; both are documented in the literature.

Thin alveolar ridge: schematic bucco-lingual cross-section. Ridge width ≈ 5 mm.

Path 1

Augmentation-driven path

Standard-diameter implant + guided bone regeneration (GBR)

Augmentation-driven path: Standard-diameter implant + guided bone regeneration (GBR)BoneGumExposed surfaceGraftMembraneStandard diameter (4.1 mm)← Cheek sideTongue side →
  1. A standard-diameter implant is placed; the thin bone on the cheek side does not fully cover its surface.
  2. The exposed surface is covered with graft material.
  3. A membrane is laid over the graft; the gum is closed and healing is awaited.
Path 2

Anatomy-driven path

Narrow-diameter implant (3.3 mm), no augmentation

Anatomy-driven path: Narrow-diameter implant (3.3 mm), no augmentation≈ 5 mmBoneGumNarrow diameter (3.3 mm)← Cheek sideTongue side →
  1. Ridge width is measured; the existing bone volume is the basis of planning.
  2. A narrow-diameter implant that fits the bone is placed; the bone wall is preserved on both sides.
  3. No additional graft or membrane is needed; the gum is closed.
Characteristics of each approach (a description, not a ranking)
Augmentation-driven pathAnatomy-driven path
Implant diameterStandard (≈4 mm)Narrow (3.3–3.5 mm)
Additional procedureGraft + membraneNone
Surgical fieldCrest + cheek sideCrest only
TimingSame session or stagedSame session

Two philosophies, one goal:

Minimally invasive implantology.

References (3)
  1. Schiegnitz E, Al-Nawas B. Narrow-diameter implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018;29(Suppl 16):21–40. doi:10.1111/clr.13272
  2. Benic GI, Hämmerle CHF. Horizontal bone augmentation by means of guided bone regeneration. Periodontol 2000 2014;66(1):13–40. doi:10.1111/prd.12039
  3. Jung RE, Fenner N, Hämmerle CHF, Zitzmann NU. Long-term outcome of implants placed with guided bone regeneration (GBR) using resorbable and non-resorbable membranes after 12–14 years. Clin Oral Implants Res 2013;24(10):1065–1073. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02522.x

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