Horizontal-guided Bone Regeneration using a Titanium Mesh and an Equine Bone Graft

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Biomaterials science
• Regenerative medicine

Background:

• Guided bone regeneration (GBR) uses barriers like titanium meshes for bone augmentation.
• Titanium meshes offer successful outcomes but require significant intraoperative shaping time.
• Reducing surgical time is crucial for improving GBR procedures.

Observation:

• A stereolithographic model of the patient's jaw was created from CT scans.
• A titanium mesh was preshaped on the stereolithographic model before surgery.
• The preshaped mesh was used for horizontal ridge augmentation in a patient with missing mandibular teeth.

Findings:

• Preshaping the mesh on the model reduced intraoperative time and facilitated faster placement.
• After 24 months, implants were functional, and bone width remained stable.
• Histological analysis confirmed the biocompatibility and remodeling of the bone substitute.

Implications:

• Preshaping titanium mesh on patient-specific models streamlines horizontal ridge augmentation.
• This method enhances surgical efficiency and patient outcomes in GBR.
• The technique is a valuable addition to routine dental implantology practices.