title: Surgical treatment of fractures of the edentulous mandible.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This retrospective study presents treatment alternatives for fractures of the edentulous mandible.
  
  
  METHODS
  A chart review of 34 patients with fractures of the edentulous mandible was performed. Patients were followed with clinical and radiographic examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five different treatment groups were used, ranging from closed treatment to bone graft augmentation and immediate placement of dental implants. Twenty-five patients showed good bony union. Frequent complications were encountered, including pseudarthrosis, fractured plates, and persistent dysesthesia. Augmentation was more stable when implants were placed simultaneously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment needs to be based on the type and location of the fracture and the degree of atrophy. Augmentation in combination with implants appears to be a good treatment for fractures of the edentulous mandible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Eyrich
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Grätz
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sailer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation; D001284:Atrophy; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002508:Cephalometry; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000209:etiology; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants