Widening narrow jaw ridges with osseodensification for dental implants.

Expansion of Narrow Alveolar Ridge by Osseodensification A Prospective Clinical Study

This test uses Densah burs to compact and expand bone to widen narrow alveolar ridges so adults with healed extraction sites may receive dental implants.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Science and Technology, Yemen (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Sanaa, S)
• Trial ID: NCT07436533 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective protocol uses densifying Densah burs in a non-subtractive (counter‑clockwise) mode to compact and laterally expand bone during implant site preparation in adults with narrow alveolar ridges. Bone width is measured with standardized Micro Castroviejo calipers at the crest (0 mm) and 5 mm apical immediately before and after osseodensification. After achieving the target diameter, an implant is placed and primary stability is recorded by insertion torque, with standard post-operative care and follow-up. The study quantifies immediate dimensional gains in ridge width and the feasibility of simultaneous implant placement without additional grafting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with healed edentulous sites, crestal ridge widths of about 3–5 mm, adequate vertical bone, and willingness to attend follow-up visits.

Not a fit: Patients with active infection at the implant site, severe buccal plate undercut or concavity, heavy smoking, or severe parafunctional habits are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could allow some patients to receive implants with less invasive bone grafting and shorter treatment times.

How similar studies have performed: Previous case series and short-term studies have reported improved insertion torque and modest ridge expansion with osseodensification, but longer-term comparative evidence is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged 18 years or older, including both genders.
* Healed edentulous sites (short or long spans, single or multiple missing teeth) in maxillary or mandibular arches.
* At least 6 months post-extraction period (delayed implant placement).
* Alveolar ridge width of 3-5 mm at the crest (buccolingually).
* Low-density jaw regions (D1-D5 according to Misch classification).
* Presence of ≥ 2 mm trabecular bone core and trabecular-to-cortical bone ratio of ≥ 1:1.
* Sufficient vertical dimensions as assessed via CBCT.
* Straightforward cases according to SAC classification (Beagle, 2013).
* Well-motivated patients willing to attend follow-up visits and maintain good oral hygiene.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute or chronic infection or pathological condition at the proposed implant site.
* Severe buccal plate undercut or concavity.
* Signs of active infection in the implant zone.
* Severe parafunctional habits such as bruxism or clenching.
* Heavy smoking (more than 10 cigarettes per day).
* Inadequate inter-ridge distance or insufficient vertical height for implant placement.
* Use of medications compromising bone healing (e.g., corticosteroids, hormone replacement therapy, or bisphosphonates).
* Uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, immunocompromised states, hyperparathyroidism, or fibrous dysplasia).
* History of radiotherapy to the head/neck or chemotherapy within the past 5 years.
* Current pregnancy during the surgical procedure.

Where this trial is running

Sanaa, S

• 60 Meters St., Madbah, University of Science and Technology — Sanaa, S, Yemen (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Essam Ali AL-saidi, BDS

Conditions Osseodensification; Bone Expansion; osseodensification; narrow alveolar ridge; Densah burs; ridge expansion