Inferior border titanium cribs in mandibular reconstruction

A prospective study was made of 14 patients with mandibular continuity defects not involving the condyle who underwent mandibular reconstruction with autogenous particulate cancellous and bone marrow, autologous fibrin adhesive, and custom-made inferior border titanium cribs. The design and fabrication of the cribs were based on the prediction tracing of the mandibular defects from panoramic radiographs. The mandibular arch form, facial contour, and alveolar bone height were restored with high accuracy. The average follow-up time was 30 months. Autologous fibrin adhesive held the bone particles firmly together and accelerated the bone graft healing, which enabled the early removal of the intermaxillary fixation and restoration of the masticatory function. The results of this study demonstrated that the use of inferior border titanium crib designed from a simple, practical, and inexpensive technique is valuable in mandibular reconstruction.