Alveolar ridge augmentation with calvaria, iliac crest and mandibular autologous bone grafts: a retrospective study on 261 implants

Abstract

PURPOSE: In the last decade, several investigators have reported that autografts can be used to restore alveolar volume prior to implant insertion successfully. However, no report is available comparing implant inserted into calvarial, mandibular and iliac crest bone autografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on 261 implants inserted in 42 patients was performed. Several variables related to patients, anatomic sites, implants and grafts were investigated. Implant's failure and peri-implant bone resorption were considered as predictor of clinical outcome. The Kaplan–Meier algorithm and Cox regression were then performed to detect those variables statistically associated with the clinical outcome. RESULTS: A total of 261 implants were inserted: 89 (34.1%) into the mandible and 172 (65.9%) into the maxilla. Nine different implant types were used. Implant length and diameter ranged from 8 to 15 mm and from 3.5 to 6.0 mm, respectively. Implants were inserted to replace 42 incisors, 32 cuspids, 77 premolars and 110 molars. The mean post-loading follow-up was 32 months. No implant was lost (i.e. survival rate SVR = 100%) and no differences were detected amongst the studied variables. On the contrary, crestal bone resorption correlates with jaws site and implant type. CONCLUSION: Implants can be inserted in autografted jaws successfully although a higher resorption could be expected in the molar region. In addition the type of implant can have an impact on clinical outcome.