Interpositional bone grafting and Le Fort I osteotomy for reconstruction of the atrophic edentulous maxilla. A two-stage technique.

This study presents the results from ten consecutive patients who, because of insufficient bone volume for conventional implant placement in the maxilla, were treated with an interpositional bone graft and Le Fort I osteotomy. The endosteal implants were placed six months after the osteotomy. A total of 60 screw-shaped titanium implants (Brånemark) were placed, of which three failed to integrate during the six-month healing period. No further implants were lost during the follow-up period, ranging from 15 to 39 months after placement of the implants. All patients received fixed bridges and all have continued to function efficiently.