Evaluation of the efficacy of the bone lid technique in guiding bone formation and preserving the buccal plate following removal of jaw lesions and cysts: a clinical-radiographic study

Background: The bone lid technique is an innovative approach in oral and maxillofacial surgery, designed to minimize bone defects and preserve anatomical contours during the removal of jaw lesions and cysts. Despite its potential benefits, comparative studies on its efficacy in buccal plate preservation and bone regeneration remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the bone lid technique in preserving the buccal plate and enhancing bone healing compared to traditional surgical methods. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was conducted on 20 patients, randomized into two groups: the control group (traditional technique, n = 10) and the test group (bone lid technique, n = 10). Bucco-lingual distance (BLD) and bone density (DENSITY) were measured preoperatively and at a 3-month follow-up using cone-beam computed tomography. Results: The bone lid technique demonstrated superior buccal plate preservation, with a negligible BLD reduction (0.02 mm, P = 0.168), compared to a significant decrease in the traditional group (0.95 mm, P = 0.001). Bone density increased markedly in the bone lid group (96.8% improvement, P = 0.007) versus the traditional group (14.9% improvement). Conclusion: The bone lid technique effectively preserves buccal plate dimensions and significantly enhances bone regeneration, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-ups are recommended to validate these findings.