Healing times after bone graft [Tempi di guarigione negli aumenti di cresta atrofica]

AIM OF WORK. The aim of this article is to understand the sequence of bone graft healing, the role of graft on implant-bone integration and the influence of early loading on both tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 implants were placed in atrophic alveolar ridges; residual bone defects were corrected by particle bone graft stabilized by titanium mesh. After 2 months a second surgical access was made to evaluate bone graft incorporation and implant stability by using Frequency Resonance Analysis. Implants were loaded as soon as their stability reached 57 ISQ. RESULTS. In 64.7% of the sample a complete filling of alveolar ridge defect was observed. Average primary implant stability was 52.22 ISQ. Average stability values (ASV) increment was higher during the first 2 months (ASV 59.33 ISQ) and raised until the fourth month (ASV 63.58 ISO), when prosthetic load was applied. CONCLUSIONS, 83.34% of the fixtures reached the 57 ISQ threshold value after months; this time interval seems to be enough to guarantee bone graft incorporation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS. Bone graft seems to increase implant stability especially in the first healing period, allowing earry loading. Finally, early prosthetic taarjirig seems to improve bone graft healing and reduce its resorption.