Rehabilitation of Atrophic Posterior Mandible with Vertical Ridge Augmentation with Resorbable Membrane: Case Report with 3-Year Follow-up

The placement of implants in the posterior mandible with the vertical bone defect can be associated with inadequate crown height space. Therefore, the vertical bone reconstruction of these defects is often necessary, although this procedure is technically challenging.

A 49-year-old patient attended a private dental office for rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible. The clinical and tomographic findings show absence of teeth #36, #37, #46, #47, and #48 with severe atrophy. Vertical bone augmentation was performed by using the guided bone regeneration technique with pericardium resorbable membrane followed by placement of short implants. The free gingival graft was performed, and after three months, screw-retained lithium disilicate single ceramic crowns were manufactured.

After a 3-years follow-up, bone loss around the implants or presence of gingival inflammation was not observed, and the prosthesis adaptation was found to have no alteration either. Therefore, aesthetics, as well as masticatory and speech functions, were preserved.

There was no bone loss around the implants. The association between vertically guided bone regeneration using pericardium resorbable membrane is an alternative technique, and it avoids complications related to non-resorbable membrane exposure. It was shown to be viable after a 3-year follow-up.