Implant placement and simultaneous ridge augmentation using autogenous bone and a micro titanium mesh: a prospective clinical study with 20 implants

This prospective clinical study evaluated bone regeneration around 20 dental implants placed in 15 patients (mean age 39.7 years). Peri-implant bone defects were augmented with autogenous bone grafts harvested intraorally from the mandible (chin or retromolar area). Augmented sites were covered with an individually trimmed micro titanium mesh which was rigidly affixed with microscrews to the residual jaw bone. Height of implant exposure (mean 6.5 mm), i.e. dehiscencies (80%) or fenestrations (20%), and graft height (mean 6.2 mm) were measured in an apico-coronal direction using a periodontal probe. At re-entry (mean interval 6.6 months) the titanium mesh and microscrews were removed and bone regeneration assessed. The mean height of the integrated bone graft was 5.8 mm corresponding to a mean bone fill of 93.5%. The overall postop healing course was excellent with only one site developing a soft tissue dehiscence with subsequent mesh exposure (complication rate 5%). This study demonstrated that a micro titanium mesh in combination with autogenous bone grafts is effective for treatment of peri-implant bone defects.