INTERPOSED BONE-GRAFTS TO ACCOMMODATE ENDOSTEAL IMPLANTS FOR RETAINING MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURES - A 1-7 YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

The results are reported on 34 edentulous patients, who underwent inte rposed autogenous bone graft augmentation in the symphysis of the mand ible, combined with bone-hydroxylapatite onlay augmentation of the are a posterior to the mental foramina. Two to four implants were placed i n the grafted symphysis after 3-5 months. An overdenture was construct ed three months later. The follow-up period ranged from one to seven y ears. Ninety-five percent of the implants were functioning adequately at follow up. An average loss of mandibular bone height of 10-13% was observed. The data provided no evidence of a further lime-dependent re sorption from two-and-a-half to seven years.