Rapid-prototype titanium bone forms for vertical alveolar augmentation using bone morphogenetic protein-2: design and...

Reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects where the use of bone morphogenetic protein-2 composite grafts may be preferred can be done using perforated titanium shells or forms that confine the graft material and simultaneously establish the desired shape of the augmentation without resorting to autogenous block bone grafting. Reported here is a method for creation of rapid-prototype titanium bone forms, which was developed from a software program, to reproduce bone morphology precisely. The technique and treatment planning objectives are elucidated, especially with regard to complex vertical augmentations.