[The atrophic jaw from the dental surgeon's point of view]

A report on 3000 cases of jaw atrophy over a period of 20 years. These cases underwent surgery and the results were obtained on the basis of close collaboration between maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics. Certain deductions could be obtained from these numerous patients over a longe period of observation. It is now possible to separate wistful thinking from reality. Subperiosteal implants have, in spite of chronic infections, functioned over a period of 10 years and more. Enossal implants seem to do the same for partial prosthetics. Complete failure of either form of implant is to be expected in edentulous mouths. Loss of a subperiosteal or enossal implant generally leaves a condition requiring new surgical intervention. The methods of vestibuloplasty, tuberoplasty and lowering of the floor of the mouth have been generally successful, if proper indication, surgical technique and prosthetic rehabilitation are observed by competent professionals. In plastic surgery of the alveolar process the use of ribs has been successful in this clinic. Even though postoperative resorption may destroy 50% and more of the obtained height of the alveolar process, the results justify this kind of surgery. The obtained results suggest that the methods described have justified their due place in maxillofacial surgery, because they may be considered to be results at long term.