Ridge widening and immediate implant placement: a case report.

Alveolar atrophy may present an anatomical limitation to the placement of endosseous implants. A case is described of severe maxillary alveolar atrophy with immediate implant placement associated with a ridge widening technique in accordance with a split-crest-bone manipulation. Taper-shaped implants were applied in this technique without a barrier membrane. Because this implant was small and tapped into position, it was easier to use and was considered to be appropriate for the ridge widening technique associated with immediate implant placement.