Guided bone regeneration to facilitate implant and prosthodontic therapy: three case reports.

In some patients, lack of bone at a desired fixture site has resulted, by necessity, in the placement of endosseous implants in less than favorable locations. The principles of guided bone regeneration can be used to restore lost alveolar bone and permit the placement of implants at more ideal locations, or to provide a more favorable ridge form to support a removable prosthesis. The advantages of a two-stage technique involving bone grafting followed by a healing period prior to implant placement are discussed. Different methods of membrane tenting to provide space for bone growth are illustrated by three case reports. Evidence of bone augmentation is provided by computed tomography.