Bone Augmentation Using 3D-Printed Individualized Titanium Mesh and Pure Autologous Bone Graft: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Regenerative medicine
• Biomaterials engineering

Background:

• Alveolar bone resorption after tooth loss often prevents dental implant placement.
• Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) using 3D-printed titanium meshes is a promising technique for bone volume restoration.
• Complications like mesh exposure can occur with current GBR methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical reliability and bone gain of a GBR technique using micro-perforated grade-2 titanium meshes.
• To assess the predictability of bone augmentation for dental implant placement.
• To analyze outcomes with individualized meshes, vestibular screws, and autologous bone.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of sixteen patients undergoing GBR with 3D-printed titanium meshes.
• Meshes were digitally designed and manufactured using Direct Metal Laser Sintering.
• Two-step bone regeneration procedure with a minimum four-month healing period before implant placement.
• Comparison of planned vs. actual bone augmentation using pre- and post-surgical CBCT data.

Main Results:

• All sixteen meshes were successfully implanted without complications or exposure.
• Sufficient bone volume for safe implant placement was achieved in all patients within 122-160 days.
• No significant difference was found between planned and actual bone augmentation.

Conclusions:

• The GBR technique using 3D-printed individualized micro-perforated titanium meshes is highly reliable.
• This method offers predictable short-term clinical outcomes for bone augmentation in oral surgery.
• The combination with pure autologous bone contributes to successful bone regeneration.