Marginal Bone-Level Alterations at Implants Installed in Block versus Particulate Onlay Bone Grafts Mixed with Platelet-Rich Plasma in Atrophic Maxilla. A Prospective 5-Year Follow-Up Study of 15 Patients

Background: Extensive atrophy of the alveolar process may require a bone-grafting procedure prior to implant treatment. Autogenous bone grafts from the iliac crest, used as onlay block and particulate bone, have been used together with sinus-lift procedure in order to rehabilitate patients with extremely resorbed maxillae. However, there are to our knowledge no 5-year follow-up studies evaluating the extent of bone-level change in patients treated with respectively block and particulate autogenous bone grafts. Purpose: The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to conduct a 5-year follow-up analysis with focus on bone-level alteration in block versus particulate onlay bone grafts. Material and Methods: Fifteen out of originally 19 patients who were treated with iliac bone grafts and oral implants in the maxilla have been followed through the first 5 postoperative years. In a first study conducted on 19 patients, the role of platelet-rich plasma in conjunction with autogenous bone was evaluated. In this 5-year follow-up study, the marginal bone alterations have been documented at base line, 1 year and 5 years of loading to the nearest 0,1 mm at mesial and distal surfaces of the implants. Two implants were installed on each side of the midline in either block or particulate bone grafts giving test and control sides in each patient. Additionally, two implants on each side were installed in residual bone/grafted sinus floor. Result: Marginal bone alteration in the anterior maxilla appeared larger at the side augmented by block bone at baseline, and after 1 and 5 years of loading, but the change was not statistically significant. Moreover, there was a significantly higher degree of marginal alteration during the first year of loading, compared with the examinations after 5 years. Conclusion: The present follow-up study showed that there is no significant difference in the extension of resorption between block- and particulate autogenous bone grafts over a 5-year period. Most of the resorption occurred during the first year in function.