Success of Implants Placed in Intraoral Block Bone Grafts

Objective: To evaluate the survival and success of dental implants placed in alveolar bone following augmentation using intraoral block bone graft. Methods: A consecutive retrospective study was conducted on patients who had onlay bone grafts for vertical and/or horizontal augmentations from 1999 to 2001 followed by dental implantation. Files of 50 healthy patients who received 129 implants in augmented sites were reviewed. Implant survival and complications were recorded. Postoperative panoramic radiographs were obtained before implant exposure and then annually. Radiographs were analyzed for marginal bone loss changes. Results: A total of 129 implants were examined. The average implant width and length were 3.79±0.25 (Range 3.25-4.7) and 13.58±2.02 (Range 10-16) respectively. Overall survival rate was 96.9% (4 of 129 implants were removed). The average marginal bone loss around implants was 0.22±0.45mm ranging from 0 to 3.6mm. Conclusions: Intraoral bone block graft is a predictable operation for the use of dental implants. Implant placement in augmented areas present high survival and success rates.