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Severely resorbed mandible: Predictable reconstruction with soft tissue matrix expansion (tent pole) grafts

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 60; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1053/joms.2002.33856

1531-5053

Robert E. Marx, Thomas D. Shellenberger, James A. Wimsatt, Pedro Correa,

Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques

Attempts to reconstruct the severely resorbed mandible (<or=6 mm) have historically been unsuccessful and often been complicated by fracture, fistulas, and neurosensory loss. In the past, bone grafts to these severely resorbed mandibles have rapidly resorbed due to a soft tissue volume deficiency that contracts about the graft.A novel surgical approach using dental implants as "tent poles," along with bone grafting, is described, and the long-term follow-up of 64 cases is presented.The results revealed that all 64 grafts maintained 15 mm of bone height, with a follow-up ranging from 3 to 10 years and a mean follow-up of 4.9 years. The starting bone heights ranged from 3 to 6 mm, with a mean height of 4.8 mm. The mean bone height gain was 10.2 mm, with a range of 9 to 13 mm. All patients progressed to a functional denture that remained in function at the time of their follow-up. Short-term paresthesia ( or=3 years).The novel strategy of this surgery whereby bone grafts consolidate and maintain their volume by dental implants that creates a tenting effect offers predictable long-term reconstruction of the severely resorbed mandible without the complications observed with other approaches.