One-Year Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Alveolar Bone Regeneration Using 3D-Printed β-Tricalcium Phosphate...

To evaluate the one-year clinical and radiographic outcomes of single implant rehabilitation performed following alveolar ridge regeneration using 3D-printed β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) biomaterials applied according to three different regenerative protocols.

Thirty consecutive patients requiring localized alveolar ridge augmentation before or during single implant rehabilitation were retrospectively included. According to the regenerative protocol, patients were allocated to delayed block regeneration (DBR; n = 9), simultaneous block regeneration (SBR; n = 9), or simultaneous granular regeneration (SGR; n = 12). In total, 9 Naturactis® and 21 iBone® implants (Lyra ETK, Sallanches, France) were placed. Clinical outcomes included regenerative success, implant survival, biological and prosthetic complications. Radiographic outcomes were assessed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and endoral radiographs and included horizontal and vertical bone gain together with peri-implant marginal bone remodelling after one year of functional loading.

Primary regenerative success was achieved in 26 of 30 patients (86.7%). Four regenerative failures (13.3%) occurred exclusively in the block groups (DBR: 22.2%; SBR: 22.2%), whereas no failures were observed following granular regeneration. All unsuccessful cases were successfully managed through secondary augmentation, resulting in complete final regenerative success and successful completion of implant rehabilitation in all patients. Implant survival was 100% after one year of functional loading. Mean horizontal bone gain was 4.3 ± 1.2 mm, while mean vertical bone gain was 2.8 ± 1.1 mm. Mean peri-implant marginal bone loss was 0.42 ± 0.24 mm, with no significant differences among the three treatment protocols (p > 0.05).

3D-printed β-TCP biomaterials demonstrated favourable clinical and radiographic outcomes for alveolar ridge regeneration supporting single implant rehabilitation. Although primary regenerative failures occurred only following block regeneration, successful secondary treatment resulted in complete final regenerative success and 100% implant survival. Larger prospective studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm these preliminary findings and further clarify the biological differences between block and granular formulations.

3D-printed β-TCP biomaterials may provide a predictable alternative for localized alveolar ridge regeneration supporting single implant rehabilitation.