Volume changes of autogenous bone grafts after alveolar ridge augmentation of atrophic maxillae and mandibles

The aim of the present retrospective chart review was to determine the relationship between nonvascularized osseous graft remodeling and the three-dimensional (3D) features of grafts and recipient sites, the anatomical recipient regions and different graft sources. 32 iliac crest or chin grafts were onlay-positioned in the mandible or maxilla of 14 patients. CT scans, taken before implant positioning and after 1 year, revealed a mean volume resorption of 35–51%. For iliac crest grafts, the average resorption was 42% when the onlay was positioned in the anterior maxilla and 59% when it was positioned in the posterior mandible. Spearman correlation and 3D interpolation analysis revealed, for both iliac crest groups, a moderate or advanced remodeling pattern depending on 3D features, namely graft thickness and shape, basal bone volume of recipient site, and the basal bone/graft volume ratio of the recipient site. No statistically significant differences were found between the recipient and donor site groups. Retrospective analysis of the data indicates that iliac crest grafts, onlay-positioned on adequate basal bone volume, may register a reduced volume remodeling when shaped thick in the anterior maxilla or rounded and convex, on the external surface, in the posterior mandible.