Reconstruction of the severely atrophic mandible using autologous calvarial bone graft: an " inverted sandwich" graft technique and dental rehabilitation with fixed implant-supported prostheses.

A new technique is described for outpatient dental rehabilitation of a severely atrophic mandible. Calvarial bone graft fixed to the mandible through an extraoral approach was used to treat a 47 year-old woman with class VI mandibular atrophy. 5 months later, six endosseous dental implants were placed between the mental foramina and rehabilitation was completed using a fixed implant-supported prostheses. After 8 years, the denture remains stable on the implants and no bony changes have been noted. This technique is an efficient option for treating patients with a severe mandibular atrophy.