Nonfixated inlay graft for anterior localized mandibular defect

Abstract

Localized vertical bone defects within the anterior mandibular alveolar ridge frequently pose a unique challenge for functionally and aesthetically pleasing rehabilitation of this area. Causes for significant bone loss in this region may include periodontal disease, postextraction atrophy, trauma, and orthodontic treatment. In the presence of such a defect, ridge augmentation may be obligatory before installation of dental implants. Several surgical procedures, notably bone augmentation techniques, including guided bone regeneration, onlay bone grafting, and interpositional grafts, have been described. However, loss of a single incisor or a few incisors may render these methods complicated for surgical manipulation. In this article, we aim to report the outcome of 4 cases with localized vertical osseous deficits in the anterior mandible, treated by using a technique whereby we utilized the bony defect's margins through a vestibular approach to wedge inlay grafts without additional fixation or distraction hardware, thus overcoming the surgical difficulties and achieving a favorable outcome.