The Book Flap: A Technical Note

PurposeTo present a useful technique for widening the thin alveolar ridge for placement of an implant or bone graft.Materials and MethodsA partial soft tissue flap is elevated over the alveolar ridge and the ridge is split with an osteotome. The technique out-fractures the buccal plate and maintains the labial soft tissue to preserve the blood supply to the buccal bone.ResultsThe book flap has been employed in over 500 cases over the past 12 years. Approximately 90% were successful in providing adequate width to accommodate an implant. Infection occurred in approximately 2% of cases. The average gain in width was around 3 mm.ConclusionThis technique can be employed often and has a very low complication rate.