Use of the titanium-coated hollow screw and reconstruction plate system in bridging of lower jaw defects.

Clinical results obtained with hollow titanium screws and reconstruction plates in the bridging of mandibular bone defects of 17 patients are described. Following implantation the newly forming bone establishes direct contact with the sprayed titanium surface of the screw and the underside of the plate and permeates the screw. The stability of anchorage therefore increases with the duration of implantation. The reconstruction system also allows salvaging of small fragments such as the condyloid process. The adjustable, individually shaped, mandibular condylar prosthesis permits precise restoration of articular guidance on the reconstructed side while preventing incorrect loading of the opposite joint. The clinical results confirm the recently published findings from animal studies.