Autogenous bone graft x biomaterials in the treatment of facial fractures and deformities – a review of current concepts

Abstract

The treatment of traumatic and post-traumatic condition involving facial skeletal such as non-union or significant bone loss is a challenging for maxillofacial surgeons. Some consequences of these conditions are enoftalmy, malocclusion, facial asymmetry and others sequels. The autogenous bone is considered an ideal material, against which all others biomaerials or bone substitutes are assessed in the treatment of these conditions. However, because of its limited quantity, associated to donor site morbidity, some patients may present some problems that contraindicate its removal. For these reason, it is important to have various options available to augment, to expand, or to substitute the autologous bone graft. Thus, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of autogenous bone grafts in the reconstruction of facial fractures in comparison with others currently available bone substitutes. For that, available literature about many biomaterials used for this kind of graft is approached. Key words: Facial fractures. Bone graft. Biomaterials.