Abstract
In this pilot study, a volumetric analysis of retromolar onlay bone grafts over a period of 12 months was conducted, using repeated CBCT imaging combined with automated image registration.Eleven patients being treated with 16 bone grafts taken from the retromolar area were examined by CBCT scanning prior to bone augmentation (T0), immediately after bone augmentation (T1) and after a healing time of 12 months after augmentation (T2). Graft volumes were measured at each time point after automated image registration of consecutive CBCT scans.The mean volume of the augmented site was 372.2 ± 179.4 mm3. Resorption relative to the original augmented volume was 43.7% ± 19.0% after 12 months.Three-dimensional graft resorption could be precisely depicted by the use of automated image registration for CBCT data over a period of 12 months and demonstrated extensive volumetric changes of bone grafts taken from the ascending ramus of the mandible.Graft resorption and continuous bony remodeling of the grafted site before and after implant insertion have to be carefully considered by the clinician.
Highlights
Sufficient bone quantity and quality at the recipient site is a major prerequisite for long-term success of dental implants [1,2,3]
Volumetric computed tomography (CT) studies of autogenous onlay grafts harvested from the iliac crest demonstrated a rapid initial loss of bone height during the first 6 months of healing [22, 31]
Patient selection In this study, patients of at least 18 years with autogenous bone grafts from the ascending alveolar ramus prior to dental implant placement were considered for this retrospective analysis
Summary
Sufficient bone quantity and quality at the recipient site is a major prerequisite for long-term success of dental implants [1,2,3]. Guided bone regeneration (GBR), alveolar distraction osteogenesis, and onlay grafting have been described to bone resorption both in height and width has been described for onlay grafts harvested from the iliac crest [20,21,22,23,24] and ascending ramus of the mandible [25,26,27,28]. Conventional radiographic imaging, using the parallel technique, bitewings or panoramic X-rays, allows an estimation of the vertical dimension of the bone graft. Volumetric CT studies of autogenous onlay grafts harvested from the iliac crest demonstrated a rapid initial loss of bone height during the first 6 months of healing [22, 31]
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