Mandibular coronoid process grafting for alveolar ridge defects.

OBJECTIVE We describe the clinical results of mandibular augmentation with coronoid process bone grafts for dental implant insertion. STUDY DESIGN Fifteen patients with vertical and transverse defects of the posterior alveolar process of the mandible were treated. All patients underwent mandibular rehabilitation with autogenous coronoid process bone grafts via minimal-access surgery. After 6 months, 40 dental implants were inserted. RESULTS At the time of implant insertion, the grafted alveolar ridges showed mean transverse and vertical augmentations of 3.07 and 2.80 mm, respectively. At 24 months after implant surgery, the cumulative implant survival rate was 95% and mean marginal bone loss was 1.6 ± 0.18 mm. No complete bone graft loss or infection occurred. CONCLUSIONS Coronoid process bone grafts can be used to reconstruct moderate defects in edentulous alveolar processes. The insertion of the graft with minimal access in a tunneled fashion minimizes the risk of infection.