Autologous bone grafts and endosseous implants: complementary techniques

This article describes predictable techniques to augment contour- or height-deficient edentulous alveolar processes with autologous bone grafts for simultaneous or secondary placement of endosseous implants.

Augmentation bone grafts harvested from the ilium and mandible were used to reverse alveolar atrophy of the maxilla and mandible. Endosseous implants were either placed simultaneously with the graft or 6 to 9 months after grafting. Implant success was calculated only after an implant-supported prosthesis was in function for a minimum of 12 months.

One hundred twenty-nine autologous bone grafts were placed in 99 patients. This included 70 grafts in the maxillary sinus, 32 onlay grafts, 14 veneer grafts, 9 saddle grafts, and 4 inlay grafts. Of these, 117 (90.7%) were successful. A total of 364 implants were placed in the grafted areas, 134 at the time of grafting and 230 6 to 9 months after grafting to allow time for osseous healing and remodeling. Three hundred twenty (87.9%) of the 364 implants placed in grafted areas were successful; 112 (83.6%) of the implants placed at the time of bone grafting and 208 (90.4%) of the implants placed secondarily in consolidated grafts. A total of 51 implants were placed in non-grafted areas in the same group of patients. Of these, 49 (96%) were successful.

Autologous bone grafts can be used successfully to improve the ability to place endosseous implants. The successful placement of implants in autologous grafts is more predictable when the implants are placed secondarily, 6 to 9 months after bone grafting. Failure of individual implants does not imply failure of the bone graft. In most instances when implants failed to osseointegrate, enough bone graft remains to allow subsequent successful implant placement 6 to 9 months later.