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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

The rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla by simultaneous placement of autogenous bone grafts and implants: a 10-year evaluation

The long-term success of Brånemark implants has been previously reported. The success rate of the same implants, when associated with autologous grafts, seemed much less predictable. In the present study it is demonstrated that when these implants are installed in conjunction with an autologous corticocancellous hip graft, either onlay or inlay, the cumulative success rate remains at 95% for individual implants in non-smokers. The short extracorporal time might be an explanation. On the other hand, the same approach in patients with congenital defects or who underwent radiotherapy is deceptive. The use of hyperbaric oxygen may dramatically improve these results.     

Guided bone regeneration with autogenous block grafts applied to Le Fort I osteotomy for treatment of severely resorbed maxillae: a 4- to 6-year prospective study

Introduction: Edentulism causes progressive bone resorption of the maxillae, which can lead to altered maxillo‐mandibular relationships. The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of guided bone regeneration (GBR) to Le Fort I osteotomies with interpositional bone grafts for treatment of patients with severe maxillary atrophy. Materials and methods: Twenty consecutive patients characterized by severely atrophic maxillae were treated from January 2003 to January 2006 in order to resolve maxillary edentulism. All patients underwent pre‐prosthetic surgery, including a Le Fort I osteotomy associated with autologous interpositional bone grafts to move the alveolar arch forward and to resolve the maxillary atrophy. Barrier membranes were also used to cover the bone grafts and the osteotomy line, favoring the healing process according to GBR principles. Maxilla advancement and alveolar crest augmentation were measured to assess the degree of reconstruction. A total of 154 implants were inserted in reconstructed maxillae 4 months after surgery and were restored with fixed full‐arch dentures after another 4 months. Surgical and prosthetic complications were recorded and previously established implant success criteria were used to assess the success of this treatment protocol. Results: The outcome of pre‐prosthetic surgery and implant‐supported rehabilitation was prospectively evaluated every year. All Le Fort I osteotomies were successfully carried out, with a mean maxilla advancement of 4.2 cm (range: 3.1–5 cm), which appeared to be stable during the follow‐up. After a mean follow‐up of 66.4±18.4 months, only four implants failed according to the success criteria, yielding a cumulative success rate of 95.8%. Discussion and conclusions: Le Fort I osteotomies with the use of barrier membranes to cover the interpositional bone grafts can be a predictable treatment for edentulous patients with severely resorbed maxillae. The study data suggest that this approach makes it possible to compensate for both sagittal and vertical discrepancies due to maxilla atrophy, with a minimum resorption of advanced maxillae and grafted bone. A GBR‐based protocol seems to lead to high implant success rates, although further randomized controlled studies are needed to demonstrate the usefulness and advantageousness of GBR. To cite this article:
De Santis D, Trevisiol L, D'Agostino A, Cucchi A, De Gemmis A, Nocini PF. Guided bone regeneration with autogenous block grafts applied to Le Fort I osteotomy for treatment of severely resorbed maxillae: a 4‐ to 6‐year prospective study.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23 , 2012; 60–69.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02181.x     

Clinical application of zygomatic implants for rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla: a clinical report

PURPOSE: A zygomatic implant can be an effective device for rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla. If zygomatic implants are used, onlay bone grafting or sinus augmentation would likely not be necessary. Where an anterior onlay bone graft is required, extension of the graft in the posterior region could be reduced. The results of the application of zygomatic implants in 9 patients and clinical evaluation of this therapy are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients received a total of 15 zygomatic implants. Six to 8 months elapsed for healing before second-stage surgery was performed. Six months after prosthetic treatment, patients' opinions were solicited by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: No implant was removed at the time of abutment connection surgery or during the follow-up period. In many cases, the zygomatic implant platform was located palatal to the alveolar ridge. However, no patients complained of any continuing speech impediment following superstructure fabrication. Computed tomograms taken before implant placement and 6 months after implant placement showed no sign of sinusitis in any patient. DISCUSSION: The zygomatic implant allows shorter treatment time and hospitalization. However, there can be some problems in the application of zygomatic implants. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to investigate long-term clinical prognosis.     

Rehabilitation of the severely atrophied maxilla by horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy (HLFO)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of the horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy (HLFO) as a preprosthetic operation technique for implant insertion in the extremely atrophied maxilla. STUDY DESIGN: 36 patients (8 male, 28 female, average age 57.6 years) underwent HLFO combined with iliac crest bone grafting. They were divided into 2 groups: group A with 12 patients who simultaneously received 100 implants; group B with 24 patients where 176 implants were inserted in 18 patients in a second-stage procedure. Clinical and radiographic outcome with regard to implant osseointegration, alveolar bone height in the canine and molar regions, peri-implant bone loss and satisfaction of patients (esthetics, masticatory function, overall treatment) were investigated in all cases. RESULTS: The overall 2-year failure-free fraction of implants was 95.5%; the 5-year failure-free fraction was 89.3%. In the 1-step group the 2-year and 5-year failure-free fractions were 95.9% and 86.9%, respectively, in the 2-step group 95.0% and 91.3% (log rank test P=.57). A total of 27 implants were lost during the entire follow-up: 14 in 6 patients of the 1-stage and 13 in 9 patients of the 2-stage group. The mean loss of alveolar bone after augmentation in the canine and molar regions was almost equal in both groups (overall means for the 2 regions 3.67 +/- 2.77 and 4.42 +/- 2.72 mm, respectively). The relationship between the jaws and thereby the esthetic profile could be improved in all cases. All patients were satisfied with the dental rehabilitation and the achieved new esthetic appearance. CONCLUSIONS: HLFO combined with iliac bone grafting is a feasible preprosthetic technique prior to implant insertion in cases of severe atrophy of the maxillary alveolar ridge, leading to satisfying implant survival and rehabilitation of function.     

Reconstruction of the severely resorbed maxilla with bone grafting and osseointegrated implants: a preliminary report

This article describes a surgical procedure for rehabilitation of the severely atrophic maxillary alveolar ridge by bone grafting to the maxillary sinus and nasal floor followed by installation of implants in the grafted regions at a second operation. Five treated cases are presented. Further data are considered necessary to evaluate the procedure before it can be recommended for routine use.     

Le Fort I osteotomy in atrophied maxilla and bone regeneration with pure-phase beta-tricalcium phosphate and PRP

Le Fort I osteotomy is a versatile procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery for the correction of dysgnathias as well as for an easy approach to the surgical site in neurosurgery; however, it is rarely performed for a vertical advancement of the maxilla. This paper presents the successful use of the synthetic pure-phase beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) Cerasorb (Curasan, Kleinostheim, Germany), together with autogenous bone at a ratio of 4:1, in combination with patients' own platelet-rich plasma for a vertical augmentation of completely atrophied maxillae, resulting in an advancement of 16 and 14 mm, respectively. After a period of 8 months the beta-TCP was completely resorbed and the x-ray control showed no residual granules in the defect sites. Pure-phase beta-TCP proved to be a bone-regeneration material, providing the patient with vital bone at the defect site in a reasonable time, making a second surgical procedure for bone harvesting (e.g., at the iliac crest) unnecessary. The relapse of approximately one third in the second case did not affect the success of treatment and was attributed to the combination of platelet-rich plasma with a resorbable polylactic membrane. Thus, in the combination of pure-phase beta-TCP and platelet-rich plasma, the use of nonresorbable membranes and suture materials is recommended. These results encourage the qualified surgeon to use the pure-phase beta-TCP for bone regeneration even when performing augmentations of this dimension.     

Le Fort I sliding osteotomy--a procedure for stable inferior repositioning of the maxilla.

INTRODUCTION: Inferior repositioning of the maxilla for correction of vertical maxillary deficiency has been found to be associated with instability and a tendency to relapse. This can not be completely controlled by using bone grafts as relapse commences before complete integration of the graft. METHODS: Improved stability was sought by using rules of geometry when displacing the maxilla down a sloping plane. Anterior and inferior sliding of the maxilla after a double 'M'-shaped Le Fort I osteotomy was performed to preserve bony contact at the medial and lateral maxillary buttresses. The plan of this technique was derived from model surgery when true changes at the Le Fort I level were visualized. PATIENTS: 15 patients with class III-malocclusion and anterior vertical deficiency of the maxilla were surgically treated using this technique. RESULTS: Bony contact at the maxillary buttresses after anterior and inferior displacement was possible in patients with less than 6mm movement in a sagittal direction. Only minor skeletal relapse (mean: 0.4mm) was observed in the follow-up period (mean 14.2 months). CONCLUSION: The procedure should be considered whenever vertical maxilla relapse is of concern after anterocaudal displacement.     

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.     

The behaviour of the maxilla in vertical movements after Le Fort I osteotomy.

In 15 cases of ordinary Le Fort I osteotomy with simultaneous vertical displacement, the behaviour of the maxilla in respect to vertical movement was examined. It was observed that out of 12 maxilla which had been tilted downwards, 10 moved upwards again. One maxilla remained stable and another one moved further downwards. Of 3 cases with upward movement, two remained stable whereas one moved further upwards. Therefore, the authors conclude that the downward displacement especially is unstable and that one has either to overcorrect or search for possibilities of stabilization other than wiring suspension. Since these movements occur during postoperative intermaxillary fixation, no occlusal changes are observed.     

10-year follow-up of onlay bone grafts and implants in severely resorbed maxillae

Thirty patients with extremely resorbed maxillae had reconstructive bone grafts from the ala iliaca and endosseous implants in a one-stage procedure. The first ten patients constituted a development group and the following 20 patients a routine group. The marginal bone level and implants success rate was evaluated in a prospective long-term follow-up for a minimum of 10 years (10-13 years). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 6 months and then annually up to 5 years. The final examinations were performed at the 10-year follow-up. The bridges were removed at every clinical examination. Marginal bone loss was seen up to the 3-year examination, where it averaged 4.6 mm in the routine group. Between the 3- and 10-year follow-up no significant change was registered. The initial bone loss was probably due to the design of the 3.6 mm conical unthreaded marginal part of the implant. The implant success rate was 83.1% in the routine group. Failures mostly occurred during the first 2 years (14 out of 20). A substantial amount of bone can be gained in patients with extremely resorbed maxillae, when treated with bone graft according to the procedure described in this study.     

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.     

Superior repositioning of the maxilla by a Le Fort I osteotomy: a review of 26 patients

Following surgical procedures in 25 patients, a study was made of the stability of the maxilla after superior repositioning. In cases of open bite, as well as in cases of absolute maxillary hyperplasia or relative mandibular deficiency, a slight overcorrection that led to a stable occlusion was observed. The use of miniplates for stabilization of the maxilla is discussed briefly.