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Purpose: This retrospective study reports the clinical outcome following placement of extraoral implants in severely resorbed posterior ridges to support distal-extension removable dentures. Material and Methods: Consecutively treated patients with partially or completely edentulous ridges, with available bone height in the posterior region of 6 mm or less, were included in the study. Implants originally intended for extraoral use (Straumann) were placed in second molar regions and allowed to heal for 4 to 6 months before abutment connection. At recall appointments, the peri-implant hard and soft tissues were evaluated. Complications with implant components, as well as mechanical and structural failures of the prostheses, were recorded. Two-year survival rates were calculated and life table analyses undertaken. Results: Twenty-nine patients (19 women and 10 men; average age 61.2 years, range, 44 to 75 years) were included in the study. Forty-seven extraoral implants in 26 patients were placed in the second molar site of the mandible. Two extraoral implants in 2 patients failed during the osseointegration phase, yielding an 8-year cumulative success rate of 91.8%. The mean distance from the extraoral implants to the most distal tooth/implant was 28.1 mm (range, 16.7 to 39.2 mm). Twenty-three extraoral implants were restored with magnets, 18 with ball anchors, and 4 with conical cylinders. Replacement of abutments and retention elements was necessary in 2 patients. Four abutments in 2 patients were disconnected from the restorations. Conclusions: Within the limits of the employed research design, extraoral implants may be used successfully to provide support for distal-extension removable dentures in severely resorbed posterior alveolar ridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue closure is a critical factor in preprosthetic surgery and implant placement. In large transverse or vertical bone augmentations, there is often insufficient or very thin mucosa available. Soft tissue dehiscences and bone or implant exposure may result. Based on the application of a periosteal flap, the presented method solves this problem. The flap is prepared in the neighboring area and folded into the corresponding surgical area. It not only provides good soft tissue coverage but also results in soft tissue augmentation. Periosteoplasty has been successfully applied in over 60 patients over the last 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The authors report a genioplasty technique in which the advancement of an anterior mandibular segment is executed with a specific osteotomy form that helps to avoid a deep mentolabial fold and improves labial competence. The osteotomy presented achieves this by creating a ‘chin shield’ where the mandibular segment advanced is relatively high on the side of the buccal cortex and lower on the lingual side and where the osteotomy or down-fracture in between is in an oblique angle in the sagittal plane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]