Radiographic evaluation of mandibular augmentation with prefabricated hydroxylapatite/fibrin glue implants.

PURPOSE

This study radiographically evaluated the stability of mandibular height during a 2-year follow-up after augmentation with prefabricated hydroxylapatite/fibrin glue (HA/FG) implants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Standardized, lateral oblique cephalometric radiographs were made of 22 patients 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively and analyzed with a newly developed, computerized image analysis technique.

RESULTS

The average height of the HA/FG implants after augmentation was 9.45 mm. Average loss of total height of the augmented mandibles was 2.31 mm after 6 months, 2.90 mm after 12 months, and 3.93 mm after 24 months. Reduction of HA/FG implant height alone was 0.62 mm after 6 months, 1.24 mm after 12 months, and 2.03 mm after 24 months. Reduction occurred mainly during the first 6-month evaluation period and was probably primarily caused by adaptation of the implant to the surface of the mandible. An inferior compression of the implant or resorption of the alveolar crest and underlying basilar bone are possible reasons for loss of total mandibular height.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that prefabricated HA/FG implants used for augmentation of edentulous mandibles show little reduction in height, but are not completely stable during a 2-year evaluation period.