Insufficient bone dimensions in partially edentulous patients constitute a major challenge for implant installation due to anatomical limitations and technical difficulties. A number of different techniques have been developed to reconstruct deficient alveolar ridges to allow dental implant placement in either a simultaneous or staged approach. The principles of guided tissue regeneration (GBR) were applied 20 years ago to atrophic jaws and severe defects can be treated today by means of particulate bone grafts in conjunction with barrier membranes. In the presentation, the principles of guided bone regeneration will be re-visited: should we still respect the old biological principles of GBR? Are there better alternatives? What is the advantages and disadvantages of the currant techniques? Which are the surgical factors that may have an impact on the prognosis? Are biomaterials essential to achieve bone regeneration? Do we need to use membranes? New "cutting edge" surgical techniques for achieving predicted bone volume will be presented, which allows implant placement and restoration of the dentition

.