Autogenous bone graft procedures for atrophic edentulous mandibles

Using a joint oral surgery-prosthodontic team approach, five patients with extreme atrophy of the edentulous mandible were selected for augmentation of the mandible with autogenous bone grafts from the crest of the ilium. All were wearing restorations considered adequate, but they had difficulty tolerating the lower dentures. An extraoral submandibular surgical approach was employed with few postoperative complications. Sulcus extension procedures were unnecessary after surgery, and four of the five patients received lower prostheses in approximately 3 months. The oral surgeon, the prosthodontist, and the five patients considered the results successful.