Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025

10:28
Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
Published on: November 16, 2018
12.9K
Hard tissue stability after guided bone regeneration: a comparison between digital titanium mesh and resorbable
Songhang Li1, Junyi Zhao1, Yu Xie1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Implant dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
International Journal of Oral Science
|November 16, 2021
Summary
Digital titanium mesh demonstrated superior hard tissue stability in guided bone regeneration (GBR) compared to resorbable membranes. This evidence-based approach minimizes alveolar bone resorption and enhances long-term implant success.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is crucial for dental implant success, utilizing membranes to stabilize bone defects.
- Resorbable collagen membranes and non-resorbable titanium meshes are common GBR barrier materials.
- Assessing long-term hard tissue stability is essential for predictable GBR outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare hard tissue stability between digital titanium mesh and resorbable collagen membranes in GBR for implant placement.
- To evaluate volumetric and dimensional changes in alveolar bone over time.
- To assess the clinical performance and soft tissue response associated with each membrane type.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 40 patients (65 implant sites) divided into resorbable membrane and digital titanium mesh groups.
- Two- and three-dimensional analysis of alveolar bone using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at multiple time points.
- Superimposition of reconstructed hard tissues from pre-operative to 1 year post-loading for stability assessment.
Main Results:
- Digital titanium mesh showed significantly less vertical and horizontal alveolar bone resorption.
- Volumetric bone resorption was 37.5% with resorbable membranes versus 23.4% with titanium mesh after 6 months.
- Despite initial greater bone volume with resorbable membranes, digital titanium mesh maintained superior labial bone thickness 1 year after loading.
Conclusions:
- Both digital titanium mesh and resorbable membranes effectively reconstruct bone defects via GBR.
- Digital titanium mesh offers superior long-term hard tissue volume maintenance within the osteogenic space.
- Customized digital titanium meshes improve patient comfort by reducing soft tissue irritation and exposure rates.

