Glossary

The mandibular staple implant, also known as the transmandibular implant, is a form of transosseous dental implant in which a plate is fixed at the inferior border of the mandible. Retentive pins are placed partially into the inferior border with two continuous screws going transcortically and penetrating into the mouth in the canine areas and used as abutments. A mandibular staple implant is a good choice in patients who have experienced severe atrophy of the alveolar bone and allows for the attachment of a lower denture. The mandibular staple implant has high rates of success as well as high rates of patient approval and satisfaction. However, the nature of the implant and the procedure required for its placement do not always make it a first choice among practitioners. There are other, less-complex procedures that are often capable of achieving the same results and are therefore used more often.

The mandibular symphysis is the line of fusion of the lateral halves of the body of the mandible which splits inferiorly to form the mental protuberance. It may serve as a source for bone grafting. The mandibular symphysis is usually formed sometime during the first two years of life as the two halves of the mandible come together. It has been shown to be a reliable source of bone graft material for both maxillofacial reconstructive and oral reconstructive procedures. It is considered to be a safe location for bone harvesting as enough bone can be obtained without damaging the mental nerve, causing injury to the nearby teeth, or disturbing the patient’s facial contours. In addition, the mandibular symphysis provides a bone grafting source that yields bone with good density and that can be harvested in the necessary volume. The use of high-resolution scanners provides details of the bone’s vasculature so injury can be avoided during surgery.