H-PRF Bone Block Versus Sausage Technique for Horizontal Ridge Augmentation: A Retrospective Study.
OBJECTIVES Adequate horizontal bone width is essential for successful implant placement and long-term stability. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two techniques for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation: the horizontal platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) bone block technique and the Sausage technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients, presenting 63 tooth sites, were enrolled between 2023 and 2025. Twenty five patients were treated with H-PRF bone block technique (H-PRF group), while 25 patients were treated using the "Sausage" technique (Sausage group) for horizontal bone augmentation. The bone width gain, bone stability rate, and bone volume change at 6 months after surgery were quantified by measurements through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Furthermore, the correlation between bone width gain, bone stability rate, and gender, defect site, and bone defect type was analyzed. The complication rates were also recorded. RESULTS The H-PRF group demonstrated significantly greater horizontal bone gain at the crestal level compared with the Sausage group (0 mm level: 2.85 ± 4.05 mm vs. 0.79 ± 2.35 mm; p = 0.043), while no significant differences were observed at 2, 4, 6, 8 mm levels (p > 0.05). The bone stability rate was 63.21% ± 27.67% for the H-PRF group and 63.88% ± 16.64% for the Sausage group (p = 0.791). Both bone width gain and bone stability rate were not associated with gender or defect site. However, defect type showed a significant association with horizontal bone width gain at the most apical levels (6 and 8 mm). CONCLUSIONS The H-PRF bone block technique achieved comparable bone augmentation outcomes to the Sausage technique; this technique represents a promising approach that may be considered for horizontal bone augmentation.