Background: Endosseous implants require sufficient bone volume for complete bone coverage. Alveolar defi- ciency can prevent ideal implant placement. Local bone grafts are a convenient source of autogenous bone in alveolar reconstruction. The aim of this study was to describe a technique, and to evaluate the success of extensive bone reconstruction of atrophic maxillary alveolar ridges using only intraoral block bone grafts prior to dental implantation.

Methods: Files of 10 healthy patients with extensive bone reconstruction of the maxillary alveolar ridge using intraoral block bone graft operations were reviewed. Medical history, smoking status, bone origin (donor sites), number of bone blocks, and complications were recorded.

Results: Of the 10 extensive bone maxillary reconstructions, four were uneventful, two required additional bone augmentation at the time of dental implant placement, two had a minimal graft exposure, one had a minor adverse effect (temporary paresthesia), and one operation partially failed and required partial graft removal.

Conclusion: Intraoral bone block grafting is a predictable operation with a high success rate for longspan augmentation, up to complete jaw augmentation/ extensive bone reconstruction of the maxillary alveolar ridge. J Periodontol 2005;76:636-641.