Follow-up investigation of surgical correction of the atrophic alveolar ridge by visor-osteotomy.

In 1975, a method of operation was described whereby the alveolar ridge of the mandible is osteotomied and moved on the visor principle. The two parts are fixed together with wires, thereby increasing the absolute height of the mandibular alveolar ridge. The visor-osteotomy in conjunction with vestibuloplasty and lowering of the floor of the mouth, significantly improves the denture bearing area, without the need for, and risk incurred by free bone transplantation. During the course of prosthetic treatment, one should bear in mind that there will be a temporary disturbance of sensation of the mucosa. Check-ups should be frequent. The post-operative results after three years were recorded in ten patients. There was 18% resorption of the augmented alveolar ridge over the first year. In the second year 10% and in the third year 8% or 0.6 mm. The same amount of mandibular resorption occurs following a simple, total vestibuloplasty. Three years after a visor mandibular ridge augmentation, the mandible shows physiological resorption.