A simplified method for extracortical alveolar bone regeneration for dental implant placement in a private practice setting with up to 10 years follow up: A prospective case series study.

An existing surgical technique known as guided bone regeneration (GBR) will be observed in a case series study involving 20-30 patients. GBR is used routinely in dentistry to regenerate bone for prosthetic tooth replacement with dental implants placement where teeth are missing. The amount of regenerated bone will be assessed 6 months after the GBR procedure. Implants placed within the regenerated bone will be assessed annually for up to 10 years following the GBR procedure. Participants will recruited from patients referred to the principal investigator's specialist practice (referred from general dental practitioners). These patients are referred for implant procedures and GBR procedures if required. If these participants don't meet the selection criteria, they will still receive implant treatment or GBR treatment as per the usual standard of care for patients referred to the practice. The method used to assess the amount of regenerated bone will using conventional low dose CTs pre-GBR, 2 months and 5 months after the GBR procedure as per the standard to clinical care for GBR procedures. Participants will be asked to complete 10 specific questions related to the study (Patient-reported outcome measures or PROM's). The questions relate to pain perception 3 days and 10 days following the GBR procedure. In addition 8 questions, 12 months following restoration of the dental implants will need also be recorded. The method of measurement will be via a visual analogue scale (VAS) on a line graded 0-100. The surveys will be completed at the practices at follow-up visits. At the follow-up visits, a number other clinical parameters will be recorded related to the surgical and restorative procedures performed and which occurs at routine follow-up visits as per the routine standard of care. Other than the PROM questionaire, all treatment provided including follow-up visits will be as per the current standard or care for GBR and implant surgery at specialist dental practices. The time to take the surveys are expected to be approximately 5 months.