[Use of bone grafts from the mandibular body in pre-implant surgery]

Thirteen patients with resorption of the alveolar process in the upper or lower jaw were treated with augmentation using autogenous bone from the mandibular body. The objective and subjective results were retrospectively assessed. The morbidity of the donorsite was considered mild. 3 Patients experienced temporary sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve. In 1 patient spontaneous sequestration of a part of the transplant occured. In all patients the bonevolume at time of implantation was sufficient to insert the planned amount of implants. In total 46 implants were inserted. One implant was lost during follow-up and replaced. From this study it is concluded that the mandibular body can be considered as a good donor site for autogenous bone for pre-implant reconstruction of the alveolar process.