Introduction
Reconstruction of the hard tissue components plays an important role in site development for dental implant placement Barrier membranes are often used to contain the graft material and exclude soft tissue ingrowth. Anchorage of the membrane is extremely important. This report describes the use of transalveolar sutures for barrier membrane fixation to the alveolus.
Case Presentation
This report describes two cases involving an edentulous mandible and a partially edentulous maxilla undergoing horizontal ridge augmentation to develop future implant sites in which the anatomic conditions and thin supporting bone made the placement of tacks or screws difficult, and transalveolar sutures were used for membrane fixation.
Conclusions
In horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation proper anchorage of the membrane can present a clinical challenge. The technique described, which is applicable to both jaws, can be used as a planned or rescue method when tacks or screws cannot be used.