title: Lower border bone onlays to augment the severely atrophic (class VI) mandible in preparation for implants: a preliminary report.
abstract: We present the preliminary results of a study involving a group of consecutive patients who underwent lower border onlay grafting, limited to the symphyseal area, in preparation for implant insertion. This technique allows for maximum-sized implants, followed by prosthetic rehabilitation. The main advantage of this method is the minimal risk of damage to the mental nerve. Sixteen patients were followed for a period of 6 months to 4 years and all were free of neurosensory disturbances. Eight had a removable overdenture placed and were satisfied with the result. This surgical approach allows the patient to wear their dentures during the healing period. A further advantage of lower border grafting over intraoral upper border grafting is that mucosal dehiscences are not seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Rik.Soehardi@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soehardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Berge
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P J W
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Stoelinga
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013516:Oral Surgical Procedures, Preprosthetic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: atrophic mandible; dental implants; lower border bone augmentation; preimplant surgery