Reconstruction of atrophied posterior mandible with inlay technique and mandibular ramus block graft for implant prosthetic rehabilitation.

PURPOSE

To describe a successful clinical case of implant prosthetic rehabilitation in an atrophic posterior mandible reconstructed by inlay bone grafting after bone block harvesting from the mandibular ramus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 55-year-old woman with an atrophied right posterior mandible underwent surgical inlay ridge augmentation under local anaesthesia using a block graft harvested from the ipsilateral mandibular ramus. Three months later 3 dental implants were inserted, and after an additional 4 months abutments were connected and a definitive fixed bridge inserted.

RESULTS

After a 24-month follow-up, no implant failure was recorded; the patient was functionally and esthetically satisfied.

CONCLUSION

The inlay procedure in atrophic posterior mandible, associated with mandibular ramus graft harvesting, may be considered an effective, minimally invasive and well-tolerated procedure for implant prosthetic rehabilitation.