Simultaneous split-thickness skin grafting and placement of endosteal implants in the edentulous mandible: a preliminary report.

Reconstruction of the edentulous atrophic mandible continues to be a treatment problem for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Clearly, endosteal osseointegrated implants are indicated for rehabilitation, but a total implant-supported prosthesis may not always be possible. The implant-supported overdenture is an excellent alternative, but modifications of the unfavorable residual ridge may be necessary. Attached crestal soft tissue, resistant to mechanical trauma, and improvement of the residual ridge anatomy are provided by adding a split-thickness skin graft vestibuloplasty (VSG) and lowering of the floor of the mouth (LFM). Simultaneous VSG and LFM with placement of endosteal implants provides the optimal condition for maximal rehabilitation of the atrophic mandible with specific indications. Results of four skin grafts and eight implants simultaneously placed are reported.