Immediate loading of dental implants placed in severely resorbed edentulous maxillae reconstructed with Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional bone grafting

Background: Reconstruction and rehabilitation of atrophic maxillae with bone grafts is a lengthy and demanding procedure. This study reports the immediate loading of 50 implants placed on six extremely atrophied edentulous maxillae reconstructed with Le Fort I osteotomy and iliac bone grafting. Methods: Six patients, aged 49 to 68 years, with severely atrophied maxillae were treated with Le Fort I osteotomy and iliac bone grafting to allow for implant‐borne prosthetic rehabilitation. Four to 5 months thereafter, 50 implants (seven to 10 per patient) were placed in reconstructed maxillae and immediately functionally loaded with a screw‐retained definitive prosthesis. The patients were followed by clinical and radiographic examinations for 24 months after prosthetic loading. Results: The grafting procedure and healing period before implant placement were uneventful in all patients. Two implants were lost within 2 months after prosthesis insertion in two patients, with an overall survival rate of 96%. The prostheses success rate was 100%. At the end of the follow‐up period, all remaining implants appeared clinically healthy; crestal bone loss was >1.7 mm for six implants, resulting in a cumulative success rate of 84%. Conclusion: Immediate loading of implants placed after Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional iliac bone grafting could be considered a viable protocol to rehabilitate extremely atrophied edentulous maxillae, considerably reducing the treatment time.     

Le Fort I osteotomy with interpositional bone grafts and delayed oral implants for the rehabilitation of extremely atrophied maxillae: a 1-9-year clinical follow-up study on humans

AIM: The purpose of this clinical follow-up study was to report the clinical outcome of osseointegrated implants placed in extremely atrophied edentulous maxillae after Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional autogenous iliac bone grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a 10-year period (1995-2004), 39 patients, 18 males and 21 females, aged from 32 to 76 years, presenting with severely atrophied edentulous maxillae were treated with Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional iliac bone grafts. Four to 8 months after the reconstructive procedure, 281 osseointegrated implants were placed in the reconstructed maxillae. Four to 8 months afterwards, abutments were connected and the prosthetic rehabilitation started. The mean follow-up period of implants after the start of prosthetic loading was 45.9 months (range: 12-108 months). RESULTS: The reconstructive procedure was successful in 38 of 39 patients. In one patient, partial loss of the inlay graft occurred before implant placement. Six patients (42 implants) dropped out of the study. Fifteen implants were removed during the follow-up period, due to loss of integration. Thirty-two implants, although integrated, presented with peri-implant bone-level changes higher than those proposed for successful implants. Cumulative survival and success rates of implants were 94.5% and 82.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from this study showed that Le Fort I osteotomy with interpositional bone grafts followed by delayed implant placement is an acceptable means to rehabilitate edentulous patients affected by extremely atrophied edentulous maxillae. Survival rates of implants are consistent with those related to implants placed in native, non-reconstructed bone. Conversely, the success rate of implants resulted to be lower as compared with those obtained for implants placed in native bone.     

Segmental Le Fort I osteotomy with bone grafting in unilateral severely atrophied maxilla

This study describes the use of a segmental Le Fort I osteotomy for interpositional autogenous iliac bone grafts in 5 patients with severe unilateral atrophy of the maxilla. Unilateral pterygomaxillary disjunction and osteotomy of the lateral and medial walls of the maxillary sinus were performed. The mucosa of the maxillary sinus was preserved and lifted cranially. It was stabilized with autogenous cancellous bone grafts. One side of the maxilla was gently downfractured until it replaced the original morphology of the alveolar crest. The inter-arch space was therefore reduced to the ideal level for placing implants. Lateral widening of the alveolar crest was obtained with on-lay bone grafts. Segmental osteotomy with bone grafting is a modification of Le Fort I swing osteotomy that has several advantages. The in-lay graft was not resorbed because it was rapidly revascularized and implant placement was delayed. This article presents a surgical technique for the reduction of vertical inter-arch space for the correct positioning of osseointegrated implants.     

Monitoring of implant stability in grafted bone using resonance frequency analysis. A clinical study from implant placement to 6 months of loading

The aim of this prospective study was to compare implants placed in grafted and normal non-grafted maxilla by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA), clinical stability and implant failure.Twenty-nine patients with severe atrophy of the edentulous maxilla were treated with autogenous bone grafts as onlay (24 patients) or as interpositional grafts in conjunction with a Le Fort I osteotomy (five patients) 6 months prior to placement of 222 implants. Ten non-grafted patients treated with 75 Brånemark implants in the edentulous maxillae served as a control group. RFA was performed at implant placement, abutment connection and after 6 months of bridge loading.Seventeen (8%) implants were lost in the grafted bone and one (1%) in normal bone. RFA revealed a similar pattern in both grafted and normal maxillae, i.e. increasing resonance frequency (RF) with time (Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for paired data). Twenty implants that were rotation mobile (low primary stability) at the time of insertion showed a significantly lower value at implant placement according to RFA (Mann–Whitney U-test, P=0.020). The RF for the failed implants revealed a tendency towards lower values (Mann–Whitney U-test, P=0.072), compared to the successful implants.It is concluded that implants placed in grafted bone when using a two-stage technique achieve a stability similar to that of implants placed in normal non-grafted bone.     

Le Fort I osteotomy with interpositional bone grafts and implants for rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla: a 2-stage procedure.

A surgical procedure for the rehabilitation of severely resorbed maxillae is described. Twenty-five patients, made up of a development group of 5 and a routine group of 20, were treated with Le Fort I osteotomy using interpositional bone grafts from the iliac crest and, in a second stage, titanium implants. Altogether, 181 Br?nemark implants were placed, and the patients were followed for up to 5 years. The implant survival rate for the development group was 60.0% after 5 years. Life table analysis for the routine group showed a 5-year survival rate of 85.6%. Twenty-two patients received fixed prostheses and 2 received overdentures. One patient lost all implants and was rehabilitated with a prong denture.     

Augmentation of the atrophic maxilla with interpositional autogenous bone grafts

Extreme ridge atrophy is a significant problem when it occurs in the maxilla, since inadequate denture function, as well as poor facial aesthetics, commonly result. Use of the Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla with interpositional iliac cortico-cancellous bone grafts is a predictable method of ridge augmentation in severe cases. In our experience, secondary vestibuloplasty has not been necessary prior to construction of new prostheses. Patient satisfaction has been excellent.     

Maxillary osteotomy with an interpositional bone graft and implants for reconstruction of the severely resorbed maxilla: a clinical report

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the outcome of using a maxillary osteotomy with an interpositional bone graft and implants in the treatment of extremely resorbed maxillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients (mean age 65.7 years) were included in the study. Bone grafts from the iliac bone were used. The patients were followed in a standardized clinical and radiographic method for up to 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 176 Astra Tioblast ST implants were placed. Six implant losses occurred. All patients had fixed prostheses. Only minor bone resorption (1.0 to 1.5 mm) occurred in the bone graft, as well as a certain amount of marginal bone remodeling around the implants (1.0 to 1.9 mm) during periods up to 5 years. Remodeling and resorption in the bone graft and around the implants occurred during the first postoperative year. The results represent cumulative success and survival rates of 97%, which is comparative to implant integration in conventional maxillary bone. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The orthognathic surgical technique using maxillary osteotomy with interpositional bone graft and implants in a 2-stage procedure has been shown to be a predictable and reliable method for rehabilitation of patients with extreme resorption of the maxilla when conventional implant surgical methods cannot be used. Although the procedures are trying for the patients, overall satisfaction with the end result can be rewarding.     

Postoperative skeletal stability and accuracy of a new combined Le Fort I and horseshoe osteotomy for superior repositioning of the maxilla

Postoperative skeletal stability and accuracy were evaluated in a combination of Le Fort I and horseshoe osteotomies for superior repositioning of maxilla in bi-maxillary surgeries in 19 consecutive patients. 9 underwent Le Fort I osteotomy alone (preoperative planned superior movement <3.5 mm). 10 underwent Le Fort I and horseshoe osteotomy (combination group) (preoperative planned superior movement >3.5 mm). The maxilla was osteotomized and fixed with 4 titanium Le Fort plates followed by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible, fixed with 2 semi-rigid titanium miniplates. Maxillomandibular fixation was performed for 1 week. Lateral cephalograms were obtained preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, 3, 6, 12 months later. The changes in point A, point of maxillary tuberosity, and upper molar mesial cusp tip were examined. Discrepancy between the planned and measured superior movement of the maxilla in the Le Fort I and combination groups was 0.30 and 0.23 mm, respectively. The maxillae in both groups were repositioned close to their planned positions during surgery. 1 year later, both groups showed skeletal stability with no significant postoperative changes. When high superior repositioning of the maxilla is indicated, horseshoe osteotomy combined with Le Fort I is reliable and useful for accuracy and postoperative stability.     

A new method of inserting endosseous implants in totally atrophic maxillae

A new method is described (Sailer, 1988) whereby endosseous implants are inserted in the totally atrophic maxilla, the intermaxillary relationship and vertical dimension corrected and a vestibuloplasty performed during one surgical procedure. The method can also be used to treat minor degrees of maxillary alveolar atrophy. The procedure enables 20 mm-long Titanium screws to be used in totally atrophic maxillae. The following surgical procedures are carried out during one operation: A Le Fort I osteotomy, removal of the mucous membrane of the sinus floor, obturation of the denuded maxillary sinus floor by autologous bone grafts from the iliac crest, simultaneous insertion of Titanium screws, fixation of the down-fractured maxilla by miniplates, and a modified submucous vestibuloplasty. Intermaxillary relationship and vertical dimension can be normalized, and the aesthetic results are excellent. To date 35 implants of which none has been lost, have been placed in 5 patients.     

Quadruple zygomatic implants supported rehabilitation in failed maxillary bone reconstruction

Extreme atrophy of the jaws constitutes a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons. The technique involving Le Fort I osteotomy, bone grafting, and endosseous implants remains the gold standard treatment for class V and class VI atrophy of the maxilla. As severe maxillary atrophy is associated to impaired microvascularization of overlying soft tissues, reconstruction using vascularized free fibula flaps together with endosseous implants is one of the possible treatment plans. When this approach fails, however, retreating these patients using traditional techniques often proves unsatisfactory. This study outlines our clinical experience with full-arch zygoma implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation to treat severe atrophic maxilla following failure of strategies including multiple Le Fort I procedures or vascularized free fibular flaps.     

Stability Evaluation of Implants Integrated in Grafted and Nongrafted Maxillary Bone: A Clinical Study from Implant Placement to Abutment Connection

Background: Clinical studies have shown a higher degree of implant failures in grafted bone compared with normal nongrafted maxillary bone. Additionally, a prolonged time for integration of titanium implants in grafted block bone has been shown by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the stability of implants placed in particulate bone, onlay block bone, interpositional bone, and nongrafted maxillary bone during the early phase of osseointegration using RFA and implant failure. Material and Methods: Thirty‐five patients with edentulism in the maxilla were included in the study. In all, 260 Astra Tech TiOblast? implants (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) were installed. Twenty‐five of these patients had severe maxillary atrophy and were treated with iliac bone grafts 5 to 6 months prior to implant placement, 19 with lateral onlay block grafts on one side (group A, 38 implants) and particulate bone for lateral augmentation on the other (group B, 38 implants). These 19 patients also got bilateral sinus floor augmentation with particulate bone (group C, 76 implants). Six patients had an unfavorable sagittal relation between the jaws and underwent a LeFort I operation with interpositional bone blocks grafted to the nasal and sinus floors (group D, 48 implants). The remaining 10 patients could be treated with implants without bone augmentation and served as control (group E, 60 implants). RFA was performed at implant placement and abutment connection 6 months later and an implant stability quotient (ISQ) value was given for each implant. Results: Four implants (1.5%) were found mobile at abutment connection and removed (two in group A and two in group D). RFA showed a slight increase in stability from installation to abutment connection but the differences were not statistically significant in any of the groups (Wilcoxon signed rank test for comparison of paired data). Implants installed in group D had a significantly lower ISQ value at both measurements compared with the other groups (Wilcoxon Rank Sum test for comparisons of independent samples, p = .05). Conclusion: It is concluded that TiO₂‐blasted implants placed in nongrafted and grafted maxillary bone using a two‐staged protocol show similar stability during the early phase of osseointegration. Patients reconstructed with interpositional bone graft after a LeFort I osteotomy showed lower implant stability values than nongrafted patients and other grafting techniques.     

Two-point nasomaxillary fixation of the Le Fort I osteotomy: assessment of stability at one year postoperative

The purpose was to assess maxillary position among patients undergoing Le Fort I maxillary advancement with internal fixation placed only at the nasomaxillary buttresses. This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing a Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement, with internal fixation placed only at the nasomaxillary buttresses. Demographic and cephalometric measures were recorded. The outcome of interest was the change in maxillary position between immediately postoperative (T1), 6 weeks postoperative (T2), and 1 year postoperative (T3). Fifty-eight patients were included as study subjects (32 male, 26 female; mean age 18.4 ± 1.8 years). Twenty-five subjects (43.1%) had a diagnosis of cleft lip and palate. Forty-three subjects (74.1%) had bimaxillary surgery, 16 (27.6%) had bone grafts, and 18 (31.0%) had segmental maxillary osteotomies. At T3, there were no subjects with non-union, malunion, malocclusion, or relapse requiring repeat surgery. Mean linear changes between T1 and T3 were ≤1 mm. Mean angular changes between T1 and T3 were <1°. There was no significant difference in stability in multi-segment maxillary osteotomies (P =  0.22) or with bone grafting (P =  0.31). In conclusion, anterior fixation alone in the Le Fort I osteotomy results in a stable maxillary position at 1 year postoperative.     

Fractures of the atrophic, edentulous maxilla during Le Fort I osteotomy

The incidence of unfavorable fractures of the maxilla during Le Fort I osteotomy was compared between patients with atrophic, edentulous maxillae and patients with normal dentate maxillae. Unfavorable fractures frequently occurred in atrophic, edentulous maxillae. The most common maxillary fracture involved the junction of the horizontal plate of the palatine bone and posterior part of the maxilla. Prevention strategies and treatment options are discussed.     

Importance of soft tissue for skeletal stability in maxillary advancement in patients with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of stability of the advanced maxilla after two-jaw surgery and Le Fort I osteotomy in patients with cleft palate based on soft tissue planning. SUBJECTS: Between 1995 and 1998, 15 patients with cleft lip and palate deformities underwent advancement of a retruded maxilla, without insertion of additional bone grafts. Eleven patients had bimaxillary osteotomies and four patients only a Le Fort I osteotomy. Relapse of the maxilla in horizontal and vertical dimensions was evaluated by cephalometric analysis after a clinical follow-up of at least 2 years. RESULTS: In the bimaxillary osteotomies, horizontal advancement was an average 4 mm at point A. After 2 years, there was an additional advancement of point A of an average of 0.7 mm. In the mandible, a relapse of 0.8 mm was seen after an average setback of 3.9 mm. In the four patients with Le Fort I osteotomy, point A was advanced by 3.8 mm and the relapse after 2 years was 0.9 mm. Vertical elongation at point A resulted in relapse in both groups. Impaction of the maxilla led to further impaction as well. CONCLUSION: Cephalometric soft tissue analysis demonstrates the need for a two-jaw surgery, not only in severe maxillary hypoplasia. Alteration of soft tissue to functional harmony and three-dimensional correction of the maxillomandibular complex are easier to perform in a two-jaw procedure. It results in a more stable horizontal skeletal position of the maxilla.     

Reconstruction of the atrophic maxilla with interpositional bone grafting/Le Fort I osteotomy and endosteal implants: A 11–16 year follow-up

A Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional bone graft in combination with implants was used in the reconstruction of patients with extreme atrophy in their maxillae. Surgery was performed in a two-stage procedure. The patients in this study had conditions with reversed intermaxillary relationships with or without increased vertical intermaxillary distance. The aim of the study was to investigate treatment outcome for patients in a prospective, long-term, follow-up with a mean of 13 years (range 11–16 years), concerning implant survival rate and marginal bone loss adjacent to the surfaces of the implant. The impact of gender and smoking was also investigated.Twenty-six patients were included in the study. Of 167 implants, 24 failed. The implant estimated survival rate was 85% at the end of the follow-up. There was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers or genders concerning implant survival. Marginal bone loss was 2.5, 2.9, 3.0 and 3.1 mm from the implant-abutment junction, after 1, 2, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The bone level stabilised after 2 years.This technique results in good facial morphology, good oral function and aesthetics. All patients are still wearing their original fixed bridges.     

Stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement using rigid fixation and porous block hydroxyapatite grafting

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of maxillary advancement using bone plates for skeletal stabilization and porous block hydroxyapatite (PBHA) as a bone graft substitute for interpositional grafting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 78 patients (55 female, 23 male) with a diagnosis of anteroposterior maxillary hypoplasia were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent greater than 5 mm Le Fort I maxillary advancement with rigid fixation and PBHA interpositional grafting. The study sample was divided into 3 groups on the basis of the concurrent superior or inferior positioning of the maxillary incisors. Presurgery (T1), immediately postsurgery (T2), and longest follow-up (T3) lateral cephalometric tracings were superimposed to analyze for horizontal and vertical changes at the following landmarks: (1) point A, (2) incisal edge of the maxillary incisor, and (3) mesial cusp tip of maxillary first molar. RESULTS: The maxilla was inferiorly repositioned in 27 patients, superiorly repositioned in 21 patients, and advanced horizontally without a significant vertical change in 30 patients. All groups showed 0.5 mm or less horizontal and vertical relapse. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary advancement with Le Fort 1 osteotomies by using rigid fixation and interpositional PBHA grafting is a stable and predictable procedure regardless of the direction of vertical maxillary movement.     

Comparison of postoperative skeletal stability of maxillary segments after Le Fort I osteotomy,using patient-specific implant versus mini-plate fixation

BackgroundThree-dimensionally (3D) designed osteotomies and customised osteosynthesis are rapidly becoming standard in maxillofacial reconstructive and deformity surgery. Patient-specific implants (PSIs) have been in use for a few years in orthognathic surgery as well. In Le Fort I osteotomy, wafer-free fixation of the maxillary segment can be performed by individually manufactured cutting and drill guides together with PSIs.AimThis retrospective study was performed to compare the postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segment fixed by patient-specific implants versus mini-plates after Le Fort I osteotomy.PatientsFifty-one patients were divided into subgroups according to the fixation method and the advancement of the sub-spinal point. The postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segment was evaluated from lateral cephalometric radiographs one year postoperatively.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found between the postoperative skeletal stability of the PSI and mini-plate fixed maxillae. Prospective studies, possibly with 3D fusion analysis, are warranted to confirm the results.ConclusionThe choice between the two fixation methods does not seem to affect the postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segments.     

Implant stability measurements using resonance frequency analysis in the grafted maxilla: a cross-sectional pilot study

Background: High failure rates have been presented for implants placed in grafted bone. The bone graft-implant interface constitutes a most complex healing situation, where the time scale for osseointegration and development of implant stability currently is not known. Purpose: The aim of the study was to measure the stability of implants placed in grafted bone after various follow-up periods. Methods: Implant stability measurements by means of resonance frequency analysis were performed in 10 patients previously treated with a Le Fort I osteotomy and interpositional bone grafts. The implants were placed 3 to 4 months after the grafting procedure. Sixty-seven Brånemark implants were subjected to resonance frequency analysis measurements at fixture placement and up to 5.5 years after implant surgery. Periapical radiographs were used for assessment of marginal bone levels. Results: The radiographic examinations showed marginal bone loss with time during the 5.5-year follow-up. The resonance frequencies varied from 5860 to 8440 Hz. When accounting for abutment length and marginal bone level, there was a tendency of increasing resonance frequency with time. Two implants with low resonance frequencies failed during the prosthetic phase. Conclusion: The results indicate an increased implant stability with time, which may reflect bone formation, remodeling, and maturation at the implant interface.     

Modified Le Fort III Osteotomy: Different Applications

Summary

Based on the new concepts of the modified Le Fort III osteotomy (MLFIIIO), Three variations of this technique are implemented: (A) the modified osteotomy Le Fort III Champy (1980) technique to be described with the use of surgical guides, and subciliary approach or an transconjunctival approach. Excellent technique for horizontal advancement no further to 6 mm, without requiring any type of graft.. (B) The modified Le Fort III osteotomy in “Z”: to solve horizontal (posterior anterior) problems of more than 6 mm without bone grafting. It is itself a modification of the technique described by Champy. (C) The modified Le Fort III osteotomy ascending: modified the original technique described by Bell and Epker with interpositional grafts, was modified by the called ascendant, making it higher in cases where the patient has an acceptable nasal bridge, but exorbitism the lateral wall of the orbit. Le Fort III osteotomy combined with a Le Fort I osteotomy and a front implant.

Method

As pointed out in Part I for the modified oblique Le Fort III osteotomy, methods for the design of the osteotomy Le Fort III property will depend on the requirements of individual patients, and this has led us to design specific techniques for the deformity.

Results

Patients have a right projection of the middle third, and protection of the eyeball.

Conclusions

The techniques presented for the advancement of the middle third have excellent results with the ability to be tailored to each patient deformity.

     

Effect of autogenous bone grafts on healing following Le Fort I maxillary osteotomies

The healing of Le Fort I maxillary osteotomies was studied histologically in 12 adult rhesus monkeys to determine the effect of split autogenous rib grafts overlaying the osteotomy cuts on the lateral maxillary walls. The maxilla was advanced 8 mm in each animal, and examined at varying intervals up to 24 weeks after surgery. The results indicated that there were no obvious differences between the monkeys with and without the rib grafts. Both groups healed with good osseous union. It is concluded that autogenous rib grafts did not enhance bony healing.