Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the morbidity and the major complications of intraoral donor sites for bone grafting prior to implant placement.
Materials: The records of 104 consecutive patients with indication for bone grafting prior to implant installation treated at Piracicaba Dental School by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, from June 2001 until June 2003, were reviewed.
Results: One hundred three surgical procedures were realized, in which 40% were harvested from mandibular symphysis, 28.8% from mandibular ramus, and 31.2% from maxillary tuberosity. Prevalence of complications among intraoral donor sites was more significant after harvesting the mandibular symphysis. The major complication and discomfort reported by the patients was sensory deficit in lower lip and mental area. It was noted that 16% harvesting procedures involving symphysis and 8.3% involving the mandibular ramus area reported some sensory deficit. No complications were found involving the maxillary tuberosity.
Conclusion: Complications and morbidity were smaller in the ramus than in symphysis, and temporary sensory disturbances were the most common complications, noted in both symphysis and ramus areas.