One of the biggest challenges in implant dentistry is the rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla. The resorptive process has not only rendered the volume of bone available for implant placement to be insufficient, but has often also compromised facial aesthetics in both the antero-posterior as well as vertical dimensions. Reconstructive techniqus therefore need to address all of the problem areas to achieve a satisfactory result.

The le Fort 1 osteotomy has been employed in conjunction with conventional onlay and sinus grafting to achieve treatment objectives. However, the magnitude of the maxillaty advancement, the need for vertical repositioning and the amount of bony augmentation required are important factors that need to be determined pre-operatively.

A thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation of the patient including conventional visual treatment objectives utilised in orthognathic surgery will assist the surgeon in developing an accurate treatment plan. The use of a well fabricated diagnostic denture is essential to achieve this. Surgical templates can be processed on plaster casts of the model surgery to add to the accuracy of the treatment.

This presentation will outline the planning protocol and illustrate the utilisation of the treatment aids during surgery with the aid of clinical cases.

Conflict of interest: None declared.