Influence of the prosthetic restoration modality on bone loss around dental implants placed in vascularized iliac bone grafts for mandibular reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: Is bone loss associated with implants placed in vascularized il iac crest bone grafts for mandibular reconstruction dependent on the prosth etic restoration modalities used? STUDY DESIGN: Eleven vascularized iliac crest bone grafts for mandibular re construction were examined after ablative tumor surgery. Forty implants loa ded for at least 1 year were observed for up to 6 years. Horizontal and per i-implant bone loss was assessed for 2 groups: 6 patients with implant-supp orted bridges and 5 patients with implant-retained overdentures. RESULTS: Horizontal bone loss reached a steady state around 2 mm after an o bservation time of 2 yeats. Bony pockets had a depth of less than 1 mm. The described pattern was nearly independent of the prosthetic restoration mod ality used. The implant survival rate was 97.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized iliac crest bone grafts are safe implant-bearing areas. implant-retained overdentures can be used with as good a long-term e fficacy as the more complicated implantsupported bridges.