Calvarial grafts for alveolar ridge reconstruction prior to dental implant placement: an update.

PURPOSE: The aims of this review were to analyze publications related to alveolar crest reconstruction using calvarial grafts and to evaluate the survival and success rates of implants placed into the augmented area.

METHODS

An automated search was made in MEDLINE of clinical publications from 2000 to 2013. Only publications with at least five patients and a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included.

RESULTS

Graft success ranged between 97 and 100 %. Donor site complications were minimal. The most frequent complications in the recipient site were wound dehiscence. Prosthodontic loading time in most of the studies was 3 months. Implant survival rates ranged between 95 and 100 %. Implant success rates were between 90.3 and 95.05 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Grafting procedures with calvarial transplants show a high graft success rate and a sufficient implant success rate. Calvarial bone grafts are a reliable procedure for alveolar crest reconstruction.