Dental Implants Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental Implants, including details on dentistry, surgery, tooth implants.

Complications and relapse in alveolar distraction osteogenesis in partially dentulous patients.

Wolvius EB, Scholtemeijer M, Weijland M, Hop WC, van der Wal KG

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, St. Anna Hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands. e.wolvius@erasmusmc.nl

Vertical distraction of the alveolar process is an efficient method for augmentation prior to inserting dental implants. In this study, complications of this procedure and relapse of the transport segment were evaluated in partially dentulous patients. Twenty patients underwent distraction by means of extraosseous distractors. The location of the defects was the anterior mandible (4), posterior mandible (4), anterior maxilla (10) and posterior maxilla (2). Bone height was measured on panoramic radiographs preoperatively, after distraction and after implant placement at the mesial and distal point of the implant(s). Mean alveolar distraction was 6.5mm at the mesial point (P<0.001) and 6.1mm at the distal point (P<0.001). The mean relapse at the mesial point was 20% and at the distal point 17% (P<0.05). The intraoperative and postoperative problems encountered were fracture (1) and lingual (4) and palatal (6) displacement of the transport segment. Overall complication rate was 55%. Of all implants placed (n=63) one was lost. Implant success rate was 98%. Distraction seems to be a suitable treatment for vertically deficient alveolar bone, but a relatively high although manageable complication rate must be confronted, including considerable relapse.

Published 30 July 2007 in Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 36(8): 700-5.
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