Khoury Technique or Split Bone Block Technique

The Khoury Technique, described in the literature as the Split Bone Block Technique, has been named after many different terms such as The “Box technique”or the “Shell technique”. This reconstructive technique is a widely used approach for bone augmentation in implant dentistry. The term “Split Bone Block” comes from the thin cortical bone plates that characterize the method and make it predictable for long-term implant success.

The expression “box technique” comes from the appearance of the reconstruction once is done. The thin cortical bone plates used in this procedure resemble the walls of a box.. In the literature it is described as the Split Bone Block Technique, but most clinicians simply refer to it as the Khoury Technique. There is also some other terms in online searches as the term “Khoury Plate Technique” to name this technique. This terms also tries to merge both the concept of the thin bone plates and the name of its creator, Prof. Khoury.

Although dentists use different names, they all refer to the same biological concept.

In scientific publications, the procedure is formally described as the Split Bone Block Technique. However, clinicians worldwide commonly refer to it as the Khoury Technique, while online searches often use terms such as Khoury Plate Technique, Bone Box Technique, or Shell Technique.

Understanding these different names helps clinicians identify the same surgical approach across scientific articles, courses, and clinical discussions.

Unlike classical bone block grafts, which may undergo partial resorption, cortical plates maintain their structure, acting as a natural scaffold. Compared with GBR, the Khoury Technique does not depend on barrier membranes, reducing risks of exposure and failure.