The Use of Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft as an Alternative to Autogenous Bone Graft in the Atrophic Maxilla: A 3-Year Clinical Follow-up

Freeze-dried bone allograft is an interesting treatment alternative to autogenous bone grafts. This clinical report presents a 3-year follow-up of an atrophic maxilla treated with freeze-dried bone allograft. Ridge augmentation was conducted with freeze-dried tibial allografts. Eight implants were used to support a full-arch pros-thesis. Three years later, clinical and radiographic follow-up showed bone sur-rounding the dental implants. Histologic sections showed the presence of biologically active bone. This clinical case supports the use of freeze-dried allograft as an alternative for the reconstruction of the atrophic maxilla. (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2009; 29: 643-647.)