IMMEDIATE LOADING AFTER IMPLANT PLACEMENT WITH RELOCATION OF THE INFERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE IN ATROPHIC MANDIBLES: A 1-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES

PURPOSE. To retrospectively evaluate clinical outcomes of immediately loaded implant supported restorations in atrophic mandibles subjected to inferior alveolar nerve relocation to allow placement of dental implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Consecutively treated patients having a follow-up of 1 year after loading of implants immediately placed after relocation of the inferior alveolar nerve were included. Outcomes measures were implant and prothesis success and any type of complications with particular attention to post-operative neurosensory dysfunction.

RESULTS. Data from 16 consecutive patients rehabilitated with 38 implants were identified. All prostheses could be immediately placed, none failed and no patient dropped-out up to one year after loading. Only one implant failed. One day postoperatively, all patients had dysesthesia or paresthesia. At 2 weeks 11 patients had a total neurological recovery and one had a partial recovery, while the four remaining patients did not recover. One mandible fractured 3 weeks after implant placement. At 1-year post-loading, one patient was still affected by neurosensory dysfunction and three partially recovered (one of these had it pre-operatively). The patient with the fractured mandible, recovered completely.

CONCLUSIONS. Implant placement in atrophic mandibles after inferior alveolar nerve relocation could be considered a viable alternative to vertical augmentation procedures, offering in addition the possibility of loading implants immediately, however severe complications are not uncommon.