Hard tissue augmentation of the mandibular region with hydroxyapatite granules.

Interventions in the maxillofacial region for either reconstructive or esthetic reasons may sometimes necessitate the augmentation of hard tissues. Although autogenous bone grafts are the first choice, donor site morbidity and difficulties in shaping make alloplastic implants another reliable alternative. Among the alloplastic implants, hydroxyapatite granules, with their high biocompatibility, are a good choice. In a total of 11 patients presenting with mandibular deformities between 1998 and 2002, contour enhancement was performed with the use of hydroxyapatite granules, with a porous structure of 200 microm obtained in prefabricated syringes of 0.8 ml. Follow-up ranging from 3 to 46 months has revealed that the desired contours were established without any significant volume loss. No complications regarding the use of hydroxyapatite granules were encountered. Hydroxyapatite granules heal by allowing fibrovascular tissue ingrowth, do not cause foreign body reactions, and offer ease in use and shaping. These advantages make them a comfortable and reliable choice in maxillofacial hard tissue augmentation procedures in general and in mandibular deformity corrections in particular.