Early results from reconstruction of severely atrophic (Class VI) maxillas by immediate endosseous implants in conjunction with bone grafting and Le Fort I osteotomy.

This report presents our experience with 12 consecutive patients treated by the method of SAILER19, comprising bone grafting to the floor of the nose and the maxillary sinus after a Le Fort I inferior repositioning of the maxilla followed by immediate implantation of endosseous implants. The corticocancellous grafts were harvested from the iliac crest. Fifty-nine implants were inserted in the bone grafts and eight in the adjacent nongrafted bone. Fourteen implants (21%) had to be removed because of nonintegration, of which 10 had been placed in two patients. The follow-up ranged from 11 to 24 months. No implants have been lost after loading. Six patients received fixed prostheses, and four overdentures. The importance of complete preoperative positional stability of the bone grafts and implants is emphasized.