Reconstruction of Ablative Defects Using Dental Implants

Benign and malignant conditions can result in the need for ablative surgery where segments of the tooth-bearing portions of the jaws require removal for adequate disease control. Aggressive cystlike lesions of the jaws may result in destruction of large areas of the alveolus and underlying structures, resulting in the loss of teeth. Tumors such as ossifying fibroma, aggressive fibromatosis, central giant cell granuloma, and ameloblastoma may lead to defects that are challenging to restore. This article examines the reconstruction of such ablative defects and those areas of deficient growth induced by radiotherapy in childhood to treat tumors such as rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma, or neuroblastoma.