ONE-STEP RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SEVERELY RESORBED MANDIBLE WITH ONLAY BONE-GRAFTS AND ENDOSTEAL IMPLANTS - A 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

The severely resorbed mandibles (Cawood and Howell class VI) of 31 fem ale patients were reconstructed with a corticocancellous bone graft wi th ITI implants in a one-step procedure. After 12-16 weeks, a combined mucosally and implant-supported overdenture was made by an experience d prosthodontist. After 3, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months, orthopantomograms were made, and the height of the bone was measured mesial and distal of each implant. The overall bone resorption rate was almost 50%, but it varied around each implant. Eight of 78 implants were lost. Bone re sorption occurred in an unpredictable way. The technique used can no l onger be recommended.