Abstract: PURPOSE : To evaluate the short term clinical outcomes of bone ring in severe alveolar bone absorption patients. METHODS : From June 2012 to December 2013, twenty-one patients with severe alveolar bone absorption received implant placement with bone ring technique. CT scanning was taken before surgery and 5 months after implantation. The alveolar bone height, sagittal bone absorption and gingiva changes were measured 3 months after final restoration. The data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS : Postoperative healing was uneventful in 20 patients while 1 implant lost due to bone ring infection, the survival rate was 95.24%. The alveolar bone height increased (6.74±2.31) mm, while the bone absorbed (2.62±1.66) mm. The sagittal bone thickness was (7.53±0.73) mm. Lingual and labial bone loss was (2.81±1.05) mm and (2.46±0.92) mm, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The PD value of implant was (1.76±0.41) mm and the adjacent tooth (1.70±0.33) mm, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No significant complication occurred. All patients were satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSIONS : The bone ring technique in severe alveolar bone absorption patients is reliable and relatively simple.

Key words: Alveolar bone, Serious deficiency of bone, Bone ring, Dental implant technology