Alveolar distraction osteogenesis in posterior atrophic mandible: a case report on a new technical approach.

PURPOSE: To report a clinical case of dental implant rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible with the usage of a new alveolar distraction protocol.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A posterior atrophic mandible was treated with distraction osteogenesis; after the first phase of latency (10 days), the activation phase (24 days), and the consolidation phase (30 days), the distractor was removed, and 2 implants were placed; 4 months thereafter, the fixtures were provisionally loaded.

RESULTS

No complications were recorded during the treatment. At the end of the activation phase, a mean of 5 mm of vertical bone augmentation was obtained, and it allowed the placement of two 10-mm long fixtures. No periimplant bone resorption was detected at the time of definitive prosthetic loading.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed protocol secured a sound prosthetic rehabilitation on an otherwise atrophied posterior mandible so as to avoid grafting procedures.