Discussion

Abstract

To date no animal studies have been published on the reconstruction of large mandibular defects followed by the immediate resumption of masticatory function. In earlier animal studies [133] it was not possible to undertake a mandibular reconstruction without intermaxillary fixation. The resulting compromise of food intake made it necessary to place the animaion a special diet. Reports have been published on the anchorage of preprosthetic abutments in experimental animals with mandibular defects [13 – 15]. In these studies the abutments were placed only after the incorporation of a bone graft that had been previously prepared to receive the abutment.