Customized CAD/CAM titanium meshes for the guided bone regeneration of severe alveolar ridge defects: Preliminary results of a retrospective clinical study in humans

Abstract Objectives To present the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) of atrophic edentulous ridges with customized CAD/CAM titanium meshes. Material and methods Forty‐one patients, presenting with 53 atrophic sites, were enrolled between 2018 and 2019. GBR was obtained with titanium meshes filled with autogenous bone chips and bovine bone mineral (BBM). After a mean of 7 months (range: 5–12 months), meshes were removed and 106 implants placed. After a mean of 3.5 months (range: 2–5 months), implants were uncovered and prosthetic restorations started. The outcomes were vertical and horizontal bone augmentation changes, biological complications and implant survival. Results Out of 53 sites, 11 underwent mesh exposure: eight of them were followed by uneventful integration of the graft, while three by partial bone loss. The mean vertical and horizontal bone gain after reconstruction was 4.78 ± 1.88 mm (range 1.00–8.90 mm) and 6.35 ± 2.10 mm (range 2.14–11.48 mm), respectively. At the time of implant placement, mean changes of initial bone gain were −0.39 ± 0.64 mm (range −3.1 to + 0.80 mm) and −0.49 ± 0.83 mm (range –3.7 to +0.4 mm), in the vertical and horizontal dimensions, respectively. Reduction of bone volume was significantly higher ( p < .001 for both dimensions) in the exposed sites. The mean follow‐up of implants after loading was 10.6 ± 6.5 months (range: 2–26 months). The survival rate of implants was 100%. Conclusion Customized titanium meshes can represent a reliable tool for GBR of severely atrophic sites, with simplification of the surgical phases.