[Alveolar ridge atrophy. The free vascularized fibular flap as alternative treatment in severe alveolar atrophy].

Implant-supported overdentures are the goal of treatment of the edentulous atrophic jaw. To gain adequate height there is in some instances need for additional bone augmentation. Ridge augmentation using a free vascularised fibular flap is one of the newer techniques. Prefabrication of fibular flaps, as described in this article, is a two-stage procedure to overcome the problems of osseointegration and missing attached gingiva. Accurate pre-operative 3-D-model planning, implant placement and vestibuloplasty in the first stage allow for occlusion driven reconstruction and immediate function in the second stage after a delay of six weeks. Based on our clinical experience the technique and the results are discussed.