Horizontal-guided Bone Regeneration using a Titanium Mesh and an Equine Bone Graft.

AIM

The present work describes a horizontal ridge augmentation in which a titanium mesh was preshaped by adapting it to a stereolithographic model of the patient's jaw that was fabricated from CT scans.

BACKGROUND

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) involves covering the augmentation site with a long-lasting barrier to protect it from the invasion of surrounding soft tissues. Among barriers, titanium meshes may provide a successful outcome, but the intraoperatory time needed to shape them is a disadvantage.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The 54-year-old patient, missing the right mandibular second bicuspid, first molar, and second molar, had her atrophic ridge augmented with a 30:70 mixture of autogenous bone and equine, enzyme-deantigenic collagen-preserved bone substitute. Two conical implants were inserted concomitantly in the second bicuspid and first molar positions, and the site was protected with the preshaped mesh. Four months later, the titanium mesh was retrieved, a bone sample was collected, and histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Provisional and definitive prostheses were then delivered, and follow-up controls were performed for up to 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Preshaping the mesh on a model of the patient's mandible shortened the surgical time and enabled faster mesh placement. Two years after surgery, the implants were perfectly functional, and the bone width was stable over time as shown by radiographic controls. Histological analysis of the bone sample showed the heterologous biomaterial to be biocompatible and undergoing advanced remodeling and replacement with newly formed bone.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Preshaping a titanium mesh over a stereolithographic model of the patient's jaw allowed for a significant reduction of the intraoperative time and may be therefore, advisable in routine practice.