Bone Augmentation Techniques for Horizontal and Vertical Alveolar Ridge Deficiency in Oral Implantology.

Bone deficiency is the major obstacle in implant dentistry. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) with particulate bone and barrier membranes has been the primary surgical technique used to regenerate alveolar bone for dental implant therapy. This procedure has been used in implant dentistry for more than 30 years and continues to be developed and refined for more predictable surgical outcomes. This article reviews GBR and alternative ride expansion procedures and reviews the use of various particulate graft materials. Alveolar distraction osteogenesis, used as an augmentation technique, is also presented.

Outcome analysis of mandibular condylar replacements in tumor and trauma reconstruction: a prospective analysis of 131 cases with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Replacement of the mandibular condyle with alloplastic materials is sometimes required when the mandibular condyle is involved in pathology or trauma. Previous investigations into alloplastic mandibular condylar replacement have met with mixed results because they reported only a limited number of patients with short-term follow-up. This investigation sought to determine the long-term outcome of alloplastic replacement of the mandibular condyle in a large population of patients after disarticulation due to pathology or trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, long-term investigation of 131 consecutive patients who had undergone alloplastic replacement of 132 mandibular condyle(s) for reconstruction after disarticulation for pathology or trauma. Metallic mandibular condylar replacement was carried out using standard principles of rigid fixation after disarticulation with placement of the metallic condylar head against the native condylar disc or a soft tissue interface of either autogenous or allogeneic grafts. Only patients with a minimum of 3-year follow-up were included in this study. Assessment analysis was conducted at 6-month intervals by direct questioning, direct clinical observation, measurements, and radiographic examination. RESULTS: A total of 131 consecutive patients underwent 132 mandibular condylar replacements with a metallic condylar head attached to a 2.3- or 2.4-mm reconstruction plate after disarticulation. Follow-up time ranged from 3.4 to 18.6 years with an average of 7.8 years. A total of 13 (9.8%) patients developed minor complications including pain (2/132, 1.5%), loose plate (2/132, 1.5%), limited jaw opening (4/132, 3.0%), and plate exposures all of which were in irradiated patients (6/132, 4.5%). One patient (0.8%) who also was irradiated developed an erosion into the external auditory meatus with pain. None developed an erosion into the middle cranial fossa. CONCLUSIONS: Alloplastic replacement of the mandibular condyle with a metallic condyle on a rigid reconstruction plate functioning against a natural disc or a soft tissue graft in the temporal fossa after disarticulation for pathology or trauma provides long-term stability with minimal complications (a total complication incidence of 10.6%).

Bisphosphonate-induced exposed bone (osteonecrosis/osteopetrosis) of the jaws: risk factors, recognition, prevention, and treatment.

PURPOSE: Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and thus bone renewal by suppressing the recruitment and activity of osteoclasts thus shortening their life span. Recently three bisphosphonates, Pamidronate (Aredia; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Haven, NJ), Zoledronate (Zometa; Novartis Pharmaceuticals), and Alendronate (Fosamax; Merck Co, West Point, VA) have been linked to painful refractory bone exposures in the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-nineteen total cases of bisphosphonate-related bone exposure were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 119 patients (26%) received Aredia, 48 (40.3%) received Zometa, 36 (30.2%) received Aredia later changed to Zometa, and 3 (2.5%) received Fosamax. The mean induction time for clinical bone exposure and symptoms was 14.3 months for those who received Aredia, 12.1 months for those who received both, 9.4 months for those who received Zometa, and 3 years for those who received Fosamax. Sixty-two (52.1%) were treated for multiple myeloma, 50 (42%) for metastatic breast cancer, 4 (3.4%) for metastatic prostate cancer and 3 (2.5%) for osteoporosis. Presenting findings in addition to exposed bone were 37 (31.1%) asymptomatic, 82 (68.9%) with pain, 28 (23.5%) mobile teeth, and 21 (17.6%) with nonhealing fistulas. Eighty-one (68.1%) bone exposures occurred in the mandible alone, 33 (27.7%) in the maxilla, and 5 (4.2%) occurred in both jaws. Medical comorbidities included the malignancy itself 97.5%, previous and/or maintenance chemotherapy 97.5%, Dexamethasone 59.7%. Dental comorbidities included the presence of periodontitis 84%, dental caries 28.6%, abscessed teeth 13.4% root canal treatments 10.9%, and the presence of mandibular tori 9.2%. The precipitating event that produced the bone exposures were spontaneous 25.2%, tooth removals 37.8%, advanced periodontitis 28.6%, periodontal surgery 11.2%, dental implants 3.4% and root canal surgery 0.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Complete prevention of this complication in not currently possible. However, pre-therapy dental care reduces this incidence, and non-surgical dental procedures can prevent new cases. For those who present with painful exposed bone, effective control to a pain free state without resolution of the exposed bone is 90.1% effective using a regimen of antibiotics along with 0.12% chlorohexidine antiseptic mouth.