Maxillary Ridge Augmentation With Fresh-Frozen Bone Allografts
Purpose
The present investigation clinically and histologically evaluated the use of fresh-frozen bone in the reconstruction of maxillary alveolar ridges to confirm the effective bone fill and support for the placement of dental implants.
Patients and Methods
Fifteen patients who had atrophic maxillary ridge necessitating bone block grafts prior to implant placement were submitted to maxillary reconstructions performed with human block grafts of tibia fresh-frozen chips. Nine months later the re-entry procedures were carried out and at this time a bone core was removed from the grafts for histological analysis.
Results
Thirty-four blocks were placed, and the number of blocks each patient received ranged from 1 to 4. During the re-entry procedures, all of the grafts were found to be firm in consistency, well-incorporated, and vascularized. A total of 51 implants were placed over the grafts with a minimum of 40-Newton torque in all cases. None of the implants were lost. The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 35 months. The histological analysis revealed a living bone that showed features characteristic of mature and compact osseous tissue surrounded by marrow spaces.
Conclusion
Bone allografts can be successful as graft material for the treatment of maxillary ridge defects. If adequate surgical techniques are adopted, this type of bone graft can be safely used in regions of implant placement as a suitable alternative to autogenous grafts.
⁎Postgraduate Student, Center for Health and Biological Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
†Postgraduate Student, Department of Implantology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
‡Professor, Department of Stomatology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
§Implantologist, Private Practice, Curitiba, Brazil
∥Professor and Chief, Postgraduation Course of Implantology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
¶Chairman, Center for Health and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Contar: Av Silva Jardim, 345580. 240-021, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
This research was supported by the Brazilian Agency for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacionalde Desenvolvimen to Cientifico e Tecnológico-CNPq) process No. 475517/2008-5.
ABSTRACT