Forty sandwich osteotomies in atrophic mandibles: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the suitability of segmental mandibular sandwich osteotomy combined with an interpositional autograft to meet the dimensional requirements of preimplant bone augmentation in cases of a severely atrophic mandible.

Patients And Methods: A total of 27 consecutive patients (6 men and 21 women) were included in the present study. The amount of bone gain was calculated using digital volume tomography before surgery and 3 months after bone augmentation.

Results: The postoperative course was uneventful for 18 patients. Temporary sensory disturbances were observed in 6 patients, with complete recovery after 3 to 12 weeks. Dehiscence of soft tissue closure occurred in 3 patients. The mean vertical gain was 3.41 mm (range 0.3 to 12). The mean horizontal gain was 3.08 mm (range 0.2 to 8.5). A total of 88 implants were placed in 40 surgical sites at 12 weeks after bone reconstruction.

Conclusion: Segmental mandibular sandwich osteotomy is a suitable augmentation procedure in the mandible for the atrophic alveolar ridge and provides adequate height and transversal bone augmentation.