Titanium-coated hollow screw and reconstruction plate system (THORP) in mandibular reconstruction

Clinical results are presented which have been obtained from mandibular reconstruction with the Titanium-coated Hollow Screw and Reconstruction-Plate system (THORP) in 7 selected patients. In 3 of the patients primary bone grafting was performed with simultaneous implantation of titanium fixtures for dental reconstruction. The reconstruction-plates have shown excellent functional stability with no failures, such as loosening of screws, within an observation period up to 2 years. The system was submitted to immediate full functional loading despite the limited number of 2–3 fixation screws for each end of the plate. Among several technical advantages of the system are the possibility of lingual plate application and reconstruction with a three-dimensionally free, adjustable condylar prosthesis.