Esthetic Assessment Succeeding Anterior Atrophic Maxilla Augmentation with Cancellous Bone-Block Allograft and Late Restoration Loading.

BACKGROUND

Various conditions may lead to bony deficiency in the anterior maxilla. The present study evaluated esthetic (PES-pink esthetic score and WES-white esthetic score) results after augmentation of the anterior atrophic maxilla using cancellous bone-block allograft followed by implant placement and late (conventional) loading.

METHODS

Cohort study that included 33 patients with missing teeth in the upper anterior region characterized by extensive bone loss. Allogeneic cancellous bone-blocks were used for augmentation. Six months later, a dental implant was inserted. After a waiting time of an additional six-months, implant exposure and reconstruction were performed. The mean follow-up period was 62.93 ± 17.37 months (range 19-82 months).

RESULTS

The mean value of PES/WES was 17.8 ± 2.78. All patients had a PES/WES value above 12 (threshold value defined as clinically acceptable esthetics). The mean value of PES was 9.0 ± 1.79 and the mean value of WES was 8.8 ±1.84.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone augmentation of the anterior atrophic maxilla using cancellous block-allograft and late loading supports achievement of a predictable esthetic result with long-term stability of soft and hard tissues around implant-supported reconstructions.