Reconstruction of the shallow vestibule edentulous mandible with simultaneous split thickness skin graft vestibuloplasty and mandibular endosseous implants for implant-supported overdentures.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term outcome of simultaneous split thickness skin graft (STSG) vestibuloplasty and endosseous implant placement for implant-supported overdentures in patients with shallow mandibular vestibules.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective evaluation of 13 consecutive white male patients who underwent simultaneous mandibular vestibuloplasty with STSG combined with placement of 2 to 4 mandibular endosseous implants for construction of an implant-supported mandibular overdenture with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Patients' charts were evaluated for implant survival and prosthetic success.

RESULTS

Thirteen male patients at an average age of 60.4 years who had undergone simultaneous STSG mandibular vestibuloplasty and endosseous implant placement in the anterior mandible, were followed for an average of 43 months and were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 40 implants (average of 3 implants per patient) were placed in the anterior mandible in preparation for an implant-supported overdenture placement. There were no complications in graft or recipient sites, implant placement, or overdenture construction. The endosseous dental implant integration rate was 97.5% and the prosthetic success rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous STSG mandibular vestibuloplasty for vestibular lengthening and placement of mandibular endosseous implants in preparation for mandibular implant-supported overdentures is a reliable method in patients with shallow mandibular vestibules.