Experience with bone morphogenetic protein-2 and interpositional grafting of edentulous maxillae: a comparison of Le Fort I downfracture to full-arch (horseshoe) segmental osteotomy done in conjunction with sinus floor grafting.

This paper is a retrospective report of the treatment of six patients with severely resorbed maxillae. Patients were treated, based on the amount of maxillary retrognathia, with either a Le Fort I downfracture or a "horseshoe" interpositional sandwich osteotomy, along with sinus elevation. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in an absorbable collagen sponge carrier was used for grafting in all patients, either alone or in combination with other grafting materials. Implants were placed and the patients were restored with fixed prostheses. Both grafting techniques are described, and the treated patients are presented.