Customized Surgical Protocols for Guided Bone Regeneration Using 3D Printing Technology: A Retrospective Clinical...

Area of Science:

• Oral Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• 3D printing is a transformative technology with significant applications in surgical disciplines.
• Its benefits extend to training, preoperative planning, and patient education in medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of 3D printed models for presurgical planning in guided bone regeneration.
• To compare measurements from 3D models with actual intraoperative bone defect measurements.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study at the European University of Madrid involving patients over 18 with moderate to severe bone defects.
• Inclusion criteria included preoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.
• Bone defects were measured using CBCT, 3D printed models, and intraoperatively, with statistical comparison of the data.

Main Results:

• The mean age of patients was 53.07 years; females were more affected (92%).
• The maxilla was the most frequent site (77%), with horizontal defects being most common (77%).
• Measurements from 3D models showed clinically acceptable accuracy when compared to intraoperative measurements, with no need for surgical corrections.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed models are a crucial and reliable complement for planning guided bone regeneration procedures.
• This technology represents a significant advancement and a turning point in oral surgery.
• Reliable presurgical planning using 3D models leads to improved patient outcomes.