Failures in jaw reconstructive surgery with autogenous onlay bone grafts for pre-implant purposes: incidence, prevention and management of complications

Dental rehabilitation with oral implants has become a routine treatment modality in the last decades, with reliable long-term results. However, insufficient bone volume or unfavorable intermaxillary relationships may render implant placement impossible or incorrect from a functional and esthetic viewpoint. Among the different methods for the reconstruction of deficient alveolar ridges, the use of autogenous bone blocks represents the most frequently used treatment modality both for limited and extended bone defects. Prerequisites for a successful outcome are represented by accurate preoperative planning, proper reconstructive procedure, and adequate prosthetic rehabilitation. Even if all these principles are followed, complications involving the grafts may occur, such as dehiscence, infection, or relevant resorption of the graft. The aim of this article is to present an updated overview on the incidence, prevention and treatment of these complications.