Abstract
To improve the starting point for placement of dental implants, 45 patients suffering from atrophied edentulous mandibles, with a vertical height varying between 7.3 and 15.8 mm, were treated by alveolar vertical distraction osteogenesis (VDO). The mean follow-up period was 3 years, ranging from 1 to 7 years. Associated complications, as occurred during instalment of the distractor device, VDO period and consolidation phase, and also after dental implant placement, were evaluated. Observed complications were: early fractures (2%), late fractures (17%), bleeding or haematoma (4%), infections (6%), skin perforation (2%), mucosal dehiscence (8%), sensory disturbances (28%), sagging chin (13%) and failure of dental implants (13%). In 10 patients 2 complications and in 1 patient 3 complications were monitored. All complications occurred in the first year. It is concluded that VDO to restore vertical bone height in patients with mandibular atrophy is a surgically delicate technique with a high risk of various complications. The likelihood of the most striking complication, namely fracture occurrence, increases with decreasing residual bone height.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.