Reconstruction of the atrophic maxilla with interpositional bone grafting/Le Fort I osteotomy and endosteal implants: a 11-16 year follow-up.

A Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional bone graft in combination with implants was used in the reconstruction of patients with extreme atrophy in their maxillae. Surgery was performed in a two-stage procedure. The patients in this study had conditions with reversed intermaxillary relationships with or without increased vertical intermaxillary distance. The aim of the study was to investigate treatment outcome for patients in a prospective, long-term, follow-up with a mean of 13 years (range 11-16 years), concerning implant survival rate and marginal bone loss adjacent to the surfaces of the implant. The impact of gender and smoking was also investigated. Twenty-six patients were included in the study. Of 167 implants, 24 failed. The implant estimated survival rate was 85% at the end of the follow-up. There was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers or genders concerning implant survival. Marginal bone loss was 2.5, 2.9, 3.0 and 3.1mm from the implant-abutment junction, after 1, 2, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The bone level stabilised after 2 years. This technique results in good facial morphology, good oral function and aesthetics. All patients are still wearing their original fixed bridges.