Background: In implant dentisty, sufficient bone volume is one of the most important factors to obtain optimal function and esthetics. Traditionaly, intraoral autogenous bone grafts, considered as a gold stantandard, are predominantly used for alveolar reconstruction. Conversely, harvesting of autogenous bone grafts is associated with additional surgery, costs, morbidity and postoperative discomfort. Finally, to overcome the limitations of intraoral harvesting, the novel minimally invasive piezoelectric technique is introduced in bone grafting procedure.


Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate ramus donor site morbidity and postoperative discomfort after utilising piezosurgery compared with conventional techniques in bone grafting procedures.

Material and methods: This prospective study evaluated 19 patients  with inadequate bone volume for implant placement  in either the maxilla or the mandibule indicated for bone grafting procedures. The split mouth design was achieved using piezoelectric bone surgery technique on one side and conventional technique on contralateral side to obtain ramus bone grafts. Intraoperatively, duration of the osteotomy was recorded in both groups. Postopeartively, time of first pain and first analgesic taken, as well as the first pain intensity were evaluated as a parameters of postoperative discomfort. The first pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). For statistical analysis Paired t-test was used and statistical significance was considered as p<0,05.


Results: The duration of osteotomy was significantly longer during piezosurgery versus conventional tecnique (¬p<0.05).  The time of first pain, as well as time of first analgesic tablet taken were shorter in conventional group in comparison with  piezosurgery group, but without statistically significant difference. The first pain intensity (VAS) was not significantly different between investigated groups (p>0.05)

Conclusion and clinical implications: It could be concluded that piezosurgical approach may be less traumatic for patients postoperatively with respect to the evaluated observations. Regarding that, piezoelectric bone surgery could be the recommended treatment option in terms of reducing the donor site morbidity prior to implant patient treatment.

Postoperative discomfort after piezo vs conventional approach in bone grafting procedures