RECONSTRUCTION OF ATROPHIED POSTERIOR MANDIBLE WITH INLAY TECHNIQUE AND MANDIBULAR RAMUS BLOCK GRAFT FOR IMPLANT PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION

PURPOSE: To describe a successful clinical case of implant prosthetic rehabilitation in an atrophic posterior mandible reconstructed by inlay bone grafting after bone block harvesting from the mandibular ramus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 55-year-old woman with an atrophied right posterior mandible underwent surgical inlay ridge augmentation under local anaesthesia using a block graft harvested from the ipsilateral mandibular ramus. Three months later 3 dental implants were inserted, and after an additional 4 months abutments were connected and a definitive fixed bridge inserted. RESULTS: After a 24-month follow-up, no implant failure was recorded; the patient was functionally and esthetically satisfied. CONCLUSION: The inlay procedure in atrophic posterior mandible, associated with mandibular ramus graft harvesting, may be considered an effective, minimally invasive and well-tolerated procedure for implant prosthetic rehabilitation.