Complete Fixed Prostheses Over Implants in Patients With Oral Epidermolysis Bullosa

Pen̂arrocha, Miguel; Rambla, Javier; Balaguer, José; Serrano, Concha; Silvestre, Javier; Bagán, José-Vicente

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2007.03.020

« PreviousJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 65, Issue 7, Supplement , Pages 103-106, July 2007

Complete Fixed Prostheses Over Implants in Patients With Oral Epidermolysis Bullosa

Miguel Pen̂arrocha, DDS, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Oral Surgery and Director, Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology Program, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Pen̂arrocha: C/ Gascó Oliag, 1, Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica, Clínica Odontológica, 46021 Valencia, Spain
Javier Rambla, DDS
- Associate Professor of Oral Surgery and Professor, Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology Program, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
José Balaguer, DDS
- Associate Professor of Oral Surgery and Professor, Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology Program, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
Concha Serrano, DDS, PhD
- Private Practice, Valencia, Spain.
Javier Silvestre, DDS, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
José-Vicente Bagán, DDS, PhD
- Professor of Oral Medicine, Valencia University Medical and Dental School and Chairman, Stomatology Service, University General Hospital, Valencia, Spain.

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of placing fixed prostheses over endosseous implants in edentulous patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Patients and Methods

Three cases of dental implants with fixed prostheses are presented. All 3 patients had marked oral involvement, with devastating alterations in the soft and hard tissues. The use of fixed prostheses avoids contact between the prosthesis itself and the oral mucosa, thus preventing the formation of blisters.

Results

A total of 27 implants (15 maxillary and 12 mandibular) were placed. One maxillary implant failed; the rest integrated successfully, allowing crown placement. The average follow-up after implant placement was 3 years (range, 1 to 5 years).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that endosseous implants are not contraindicated and can be placed successfully to improve these patients’ quality of life. Implants can provide support for complete fixed prosthesis restoration in patients with epidermolysis bullosa. This procedure keeps the prosthesis from rubbing on the oral mucosa and prevents the development of ulcerations, improving mastication and esthetics.