Interpositional bone graft augmentation of the atrophic mandible: a preliminary report.

The mandible is sectioned in an oblique direction and an iliac crest graft is placed between the fragments for augmentation of an atrophied mandible. The technique was used in 12 patients; follow-up examinations included serial panoramic radiographs and recording of changes in mandibular height. A 10% to 27% loss of the height gained occurred between three and 12 months postoperatively.