Assessment of bone density and stability with immediately loaded dental implants with the All-on-Four technique in free vascularized fibular grafts used for mandibular reconstruction

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2021 Jun;23(3):482-491. doi: 10.1111/cid.13011. Epub 2021 May 17.

Abstract

Background: Following free fibula flaps (FFF) reconstruction of mandibular defects the patients need an early dental rehabilitation to regain their masticatory function and enhance their feeding and nutrition.

Methods: This study included 10 patients, with mandibular defects previously reconstructed with FFF that span the area between the two mandibular angles. They received a full arch fixed restoration supported by four implants using a pilot drilling guide to perform a flapless operation. The stability of the placed dental implants was assessed along with the changes in bone density.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase in stability after 3 and 6 months, and there was a decrease in density after 6 months. The patient satisfaction improved over the follow-up period.

Conclusion: The All-on-Four technique is reliable and economic for early functional rehabilitation of resected jaws reconstructed with FFF; however, further studies are needed to investigate the changes in fibula bone density over time and with function.

Keywords: All-on-Four; bone density; dental implants; fibula; free fibula flaps; implant stability; implant tilting; mandibular reconstruction; surgical guide.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density
  • Bone Transplantation
  • Dental Implantation, Endosseous
  • Dental Implants*
  • Fibula
  • Free Tissue Flaps*
  • Humans
  • Mandible / surgery
  • Mandibular Reconstruction*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dental Implants