For patients who suffer from severe mandibular atrophy (a “D” ridge), the options for rehabilitation are dentures; sub-periosteal implants; grafting with titanium cages using bone harvested from an iliac crest, a tibia, or a symphysis, with or without bone morphogenic proteins; or short implants. The challenges of these treatment modalities include surgical and prosthetic complications, and many of the grafting options would preclude the patient from wearing a prosthesis during the healing stages of tent or block grafting procedures. This case report highlights the diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical implant protocol, and steps required to finish the case that would ensure the long-term success of the implant treatment.
