Placement of implants in the mandible reconstructed with free vascularized fibula flap: comparison of 2 cases

The reconstruction of mandibular continuity defects after tumor resection with free vascularized bone flaps is considered to be a treatment option. Although the fibula flap presents many advantages, it does not offer sufficient bone height to restore the alveolar arch when reconstruction involves a dentate mandible. In this report, 2 patients who were referred to our clinic with reconstructed mandibles with diagnosis of amelablastoma are presented and compared. The mandibles of these patients were reconstructed with free vascularized fibula flaps. Whereas one of the reconstructed mandibles was vertically distracted before implant placement, distraction procedure was not carried out for the other patient. Increasing height of the fibula flap by distraction osteogenesis before implant placement in dentate mandible is desirable from a functional and esthetic point of view.