Long transmaxillary implants improve oral health-related quality of life of patients with atrophic jaws-a case series.

BACKGROUND: The advancement of contemporary dentistry is related to the improvement of existing techniques, materials, and technology, consistently for improving people's oral health, which can ultimately reflect better quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients with atrophic jaws, who reported for the placement of long transmaxillary implants and posterior prosthetic rehabilitation. Twelve patients (n = 12), of both sexes, with a mean age of 55.83 ± 2.78 years, who were unable to receive conventional implants immediately because of lack of bone, received two long transmaxillary implants in a horizontal position, anteroposteriorly, one on each side, from the canine pillar to the maxillary tuberosity. After 6 months, the conventional clinical sequence for fabricating a fixed prosthesis type protocol or removable prosthesis type overdenture (MK1® system) was performed, when required to recover the lip volume. The Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) was applied preoperatively and 6 months after rehabilitation using a prosthesis on the implants. The results were statistically analyzed using a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: An improvement in the perception of OHRQoL was observed between the pre- and postoperative periods in the OHIP-14 total score and the domains related to functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that transmaxillary implant rehabilitation improves the OHRQoL.

Reconstrução de maxila atrófica com uso de enxerto ósseo homólogo particulado com macro e micropartículas antes da colocação de implantes dentários / Reconstruction of the atrophic maxillary arch with homologous macro and microparticulate homologous bone grafts before dental implant placement: a case report

Este relato de caso descreve uma nova técnica de reconstrução para o rebordo maxilar atrófico antes da colocação de implantes dentários. Enxertos homólogos consistindo de macro e micropartículas foram injetados sem o uso de membranas. Após 11 meses, o tecido gengival demonstrou aspecto saudável e ganho em espessura no rebordo alveolar. Os exames por imagem também demonstraram ganho em altura. Esta técnica é uma alternativa clínica viável e menos traumática em relação às outras técnicas para o aumento ósseo em maxilas atróficas

This case report describes a new technique to reconstruct the atrophic maxillary arch before dental implant placement. Macro and microparticulate homologous grafts were injected without membrane insertion. After 11 months, the gingival tissue displayed normal condition along with improved alveolar bone thickness. Also, the CBCT images demonstrated benefits in bone height. This is a viable clinical alternative and less traumatic than other surgical modalities for bone grafting in the atrophic maxilla.