# Anterior mandible atrophy

URL: https://dloralsurgery.com/blog/anterior-mandible-atrophy/

December 4, 2015

**2015** year

**10** photographs

**3** sections

In

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![Anterior mandible atrophy](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado1.jpg)

Today we are sharing a clinical case of **anterior mandible atrophy**, a region well known for its difficulty when it comes to bone grafting. The patient is a 53-year-old non-smoker with no relevant systemic conditions, except for controlled high cholesterol.

He presented with a complete edentulous span from canine to canine in the mandible. Clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed significant **horizontal bone atrophy** in the anterior jaw.

## Why anterior mandible atrophy is so challenging

The **anterior mandible** poses a particular challenge for bone reconstruction. First, the region often shows poor medullary vascularity due to high cortical bone density. In addition, the soft tissue—especially on the lingual side—is typically thin and delicate, which increases the risk of wound dehiscence and complicates flap handling.

## Treatment approach and surgical technique

We opted for bone grafting using **Dr. Khoury’s technique**, which allows for predictable horizontal ridge augmentation. Thin cortical bone plates were adapted and fixed to create a regenerative space, which was filled with particulate bone. Implants were placed in the canine positions, and the site was closed using 5/0 polypropylene sutures.

Healing progressed smoothly, with no signs of tissue dehiscence at one month post-op.

📎 You can follow the second stage of this case here:  
👉 [Implant placement after bone reconstruction](https://dloralsurgery.com/blog/implant-placement-after-bone-reconstruction/)

## Learn more

Would you like to master similar techniques for atrophic mandibles? Visit our [clinical case archive](https://dloralsurgery.com/blog/) to explore more grafting protocols and follow-ups in demanding anatomical regions.

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado0.jpg)

Previous situation

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado1.jpg)

Horizontal defect

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado2.jpg)

A block is obtained

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado3.jpg)

Dividing of the graft

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado4.jpg)

The graft is fixed

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado5.jpg)

Filling in with particulated bone

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado6.jpg)

Vestibular view

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado7.jpg)

Sutures

![anterior mandible atrophya](https://dloralsurgery.com/fotos/2015/12/maldonado8.jpg)

Situation after one month

[← Previous case **New publications on reconstructive surgery – JOMI and IJOMS**](https://dloralsurgery.com/blog/two-new-publications-in-jomi-and-ijoms/) [Next case →**Vertical bone reconstruction in posterior maxilla**](https://dloralsurgery.com/blog/verticalone-reconstruction-in-posterior-maxilla/)

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