DALI Flex Graft for Buccal Augmentation

This case demonstrates the use of DALI Flex Graft for augmentation following GBR at implant placement. During follow up, a residual lack of ridge contour was noticed and the Flex Graft was used instead of traditional particles.

Full Case Description

Following a GBR at the time of implant placement (Pictures 1,2,3), a buccal ridge deficiency persisted (Picture 4). Surgical uncovery of the implant to expose the cover screw revealed successful bone regeneration around the implant, but a residual lack of ridge contour (Picture 5).

Instead of using a traditional particulate graft covered with a resorbable membrane, a “flexible bone graft” sheet, DALI Flex Graft, was placed over the buccal plate to augment the buccal contour (Pictures 6 & 7). Because the graft comes hydrated, it is easy to handle and adapt to the defect location. The flap was then pulled over the graft and adapted around the healing abutment (Picture 8).

This a follow up to our original case using the DALI Flex Graft, a 1 mm thick demineralized cortical allograft that when hydrated, becomes flexible and easily adapts to graft sites. For reference, the original case is here: DALI Flex Graft for Buccal Augmentation

After a six-week healing period, we observed see nice healing and an obvious increase in the facial contour (Picture 9). Subsequently, an impression was taken and the implant was restored with a screw-retained crown (Picture 10).

In my assessment, utilizing the DALI Flex Graft cortical bone sheet proved more manageable and effective for addressing this type of defect, compared to the conventional particulate graft + barrier membrane approach.