Use of Trabecular Metal Implants for the Rehabilitation of a Maxillary Edentulous Arch: A Case Report

Introduction: This case report illustrates the use of trabecular metal (TM) implants to rehabilitate a severe atrophic maxillary arch that was successfully augmented by allografts. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old female was referred to a private practice for severe maxillary alveolar bone atrophy (e.g. subsinus bone height of <1 mm on left and <4 mm on the right side). Allograft bone block augmentation was employed to regenerate ridge deficiency simultaneously with bilateral sinus augmentation. Six implants (4 TM and 2 tapered) were placed and bone specimens obtained 6 months after grafting. Radiography and histologic analysis demonstrated that implants were positioned in non-native bone. Removal torque test, performed at second stage procedure, confirmed the successful osseointegration of implants. The definitive implant-supported full-arch prosthesis was then constucted and placed in function. Conclusion: The positive outcomes of this case report suggested that the rehabilitation of severely atrophic maxillary arch might be achieved by merging TM with new regenerative techniques without harvesting conspicuous quantities of autogenous graft.