Modern bone regeneration instead of bone transplantation: a combination of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and platelet-rich plasma for the vertical augmentation of the maxillary bone-a single case report.

This publication describes the clinical case of a 75-year-old woman. She suffered from total alveolar ridge atrophy due to 20 years of wearing dentures. Bone transplantation, including harvesting of the iliac crest, was rejected by another clinic due to various existing diseases and risk of blood loss on donor side. Moreover, the minimal residual alveolar ridge did not allow bone fixation using screws nor did it allow osteodistraction. Before deciding which bone tissue engineering techniques should best be employed in this surgical treatment, cardiological and internistic consultations and treatments were carried out. In addition, anesthetic preparations were made. The surgical treatment was performed implementing special bridge flap techniques to preserve the periosteum. Tricalcium phosphate blocks soaked with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and platelet-rich plasma were implanted on the narrow alveolar ridge. They were attached by tightening the soft tissue, including the periosteum. Four months later, after complication-free wound healing and bone regeneration, six dental implants were inserted into the new alveolar ridge. The histology of all bone samples showed vital lamellar bone. Three months after implantation, a new dental structure was fixed on the implants. The patient's quality of life improved significantly with this new situation.