Horizontal augmentation of the maxillary alveolar ridge to change the prosthetic profile: Clinical and radiological results of a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological results of compensating the long-term deficiencies in hard and soft tissues of edentulous patients by placing dental implants and performing a horizontal ridge augmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We treated patients with edentulous maxillaries (Cawood-Howell type III or IV) by combining 4 implants, or 6 implants, or using zygomatic and conventional anterior implants as appropriate. Simultaneously, horizontal ridge augmentation was performed by combining autologous bone with Bio-Oss and membranes. RESULTS: A total of 14 zygomatic and 80 standard implants were used for the rehabilitations in 16 edentulous patients. The success rates were 93.75% and 85.71% for the standard and zygomatic implants, respectively. Also, respective gains of 5.79mm and 3.25mm were obtained at the levels of the midsagittal line and canines, with respective resorption rates of 10% and 8.6% after 20months. CONCLUSION: The millimeters gained by performing a horizontal augmentation optimizes the relation between the implant position and the prosthetic profile. This allows the different prostheses to be selected and for rehabilitation to be optimized. In this way, mucosal coverage can be avoided and fixed prosthetic design can be enhanced.

Fat grafting is a feasible technique for the sequelae of head and neck cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The fatty tissue regenerative properties have already been used to correct secondary scars (mastectomy, HIV lipodystrophy), resulting in improved elasticity and tissue quality. However there has been limited experience in treating the sequela of head and neck cancer treatment using fat tissue grafting. The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary evaluation of the injection of autologous fat (IAF) technique, for the sequelae treatment in head and neck cancer patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: We performed a prospective preliminary study to confirm the viability of the IAF in 12 patients previously treated with surgery and radiotherapy in our hospital. RESULTS: Clinically, the fat grafts provided aesthetic and functional improvement in 83% and 92% of patients, respectively, according to the scoring system. No complications were found during surgery and all the patients were discharged the same day. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the IAF could be a viable alternative to more invasive surgical procedures in the head and neck region, in order to obtain both functional and aesthetic improvement.