Background: Osseodensification technique preserves bone tissue, facilitates compaction autograft and deforms trabecular bone within the osteotomy site. This results in the expansion of alveolar bone surrounding the implant.

Aim/Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the change in bone width after use of the osseodensification technique at the implant site.

Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients with residual bone width < 5 mm in posterior regions of the mandible. All the patients were treated with dental implants using the osseodensification drilling technique (ODT). At the implant site, the change in alveolar bone width was measured using a standard manual periodontal probe. Also, insertion torque values were recorded at implant placement. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of .05.

Results: Thirteen patients were included in this study. A total of 22 implants were placed with diameters of 4.2 mm (54.5%) and 3.8 mm (45.5%). Minor additional grafting was required at the buccal aspect of three implants. However, no dehiscence or fenestration was recorded in the surgical sites. The median value of the alveolar bone width was 3.5 mm (range 3 to 4 mm) prior to treatment and increased to 5 mm (range 5 to 6 mm) after ODT. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The median of insertion torque value was 40 Ncm (range 35 to 45 Ncm).

Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The use of the osseodensification technique in implant site preparation showed positive results for alveolar bone dimensions. It is concluded that, in future, this technique may eliminate the need for bone graft materials in augmentation surgery.

Keywords: Osseodensification, Alveolar ridge expansion, Insertion torque