RECONSTRUCTION OF THE RESORBED EDENTULOUS MAXILLA USING AUTOGENOUS RIB GRAFTS AND OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS

14 patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae underwent recon struction by the use of autogenous rib graft on-lays and osseointegrat ed Branemark System(R) implants in a one-stage procedure. 75 implants were installed. 16 (21.3%) failed to osseointegrate at the abutment co nnection. After a mean observation period of 5.2 years, 55 (73.3%) of the original implants were osseointegrated. 10 supplementary implants were inserted in 3 patients. At the end of the observation periods, 2 patients had overdentures and 12 had fixed prostheses. The mean margin al bone loss was 2.13 mm (SD 0.47 mm) the 1st year after grafting, and 2.92 mm (SD 1.27 mm) at the end of the follow-up periods. Long-term f ollow-up did not show any persistent donor site discomfort. The result s indicate that this technique is a conceivable alternative for patien ts with severe maxillary resorption.