New-Generation Customized Titanium Meshes for the Guided Bone Regeneration of Severe Alveolar Ridge Defects: Preliminary Results of a Retrospective Case Series.

Abstract

If a prosthetically guided implant rehabilitation is to be carried out, the patient must have adequate bone volume, which is not always present due to bone resorption in the alveolar process. An ef-fective technique in regenerative surgery involves the use of titanium mesh to recreate the missing bone volume. A new generation of meshes have been created, presenting a new texture with mi-croholes and possessing space-making and barrier effects. The primary objective of this study was to measure the height and width of the regenerated bone following the use of a new-generation customized titanium mesh. This retrospective case series involved 18 patients (23 bone atrophies) who underwent bone-regeneration surgery with a titanium mesh and received subsequent implant placement. An average vertical bone gain of 5.2 ± 2.9 mm and an average horizontal bone gain of 12.3 ± 2.6 mm were achieved, as well as an average regenerated bone volume of 3.2 ± 1.3 cm3. One failure occurred (4.3%), and in three cases (13%) it was necessary to perform a minor second surgery. The average follow-up time for implants after loading was 22.3 ± 15.6 months. This study shows the innovation of new-generation titanium mesh and its microperforated texture that offers both a space-making effect and a partial barrier effect. This has led to excellent regeneration results, with a significant improvement in treated vertical and horizontal defects and reduced operating times. Future studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to confirm these findings.