Alveolar ridge augmentation with titanium mesh. A retrospective clinical study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Periodontology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Adequate bone volume is crucial for long-term dental implant success.
• Alveolar bone augmentation techniques are necessary for implant restoration in deficient ridges.
• Titanium micromesh (Ti-mesh) is a barrier material used in guided bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Ti-mesh in tridimensional alveolar bone augmentation prior to dental implant placement.
• To assess the long-term peri-implant bone loss following Ti-mesh assisted bone regeneration.
• To determine the clinical advantages and potential complications of using Ti-mesh for alveolar ridge reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• 13 patients underwent alveolar ridge reconstruction using Ti-mesh filled with a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone and deproteinized anorganic bovine bone.
• Dental implants were placed after a 6-month healing period.
• Panoramic x-rays and software analysis were used to measure mesial and distal peri-implant bone loss at a mean follow-up of 88 months.

Main Results:

• The mean peri-implant bone loss was 1.743 mm mesially and 1.913 mm distally.
• The Ti-mesh technique successfully regenerated sufficient bone volume for implant placement.
• The study reported a lack of major complications, even with soft-tissue dehiscence or mesh exposure.

Conclusions:

• Ti-mesh facilitates predictable bone regeneration for optimal dental implant positioning.
• This technique is effective in correcting severe vertical and width bone deficiencies.
• The use of Ti-mesh offers clinical advantages with manageable complications for alveolar bone augmentation.