Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Three-Dimensional Preformed Titanium Mesh on Peri-Implant Non-Contained Horizontal Defects in 100 Consecutive Cases

Featured Application The three-dimensional preformed titanium (Ti) mesh is easy to use because there is no need to cut or bend it. Ti-mesh fixation is also simpler than the traditional Ti-mesh; therefore, a dentist can easily improve the prognosis of guided bone regeneration, especially for peri-implant non-contained defects. This study aimed to clinically and radiographically evaluate the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) using three-dimensional preformed titanium mesh (3-D-PFTM) for non-contained horizontal defects in 100 consecutive cases. This study involved 100 patients (129 implants) with peri-implant non-contained horizontal defects. The patients were divided into three groups: 3-D-PFTM alone (Group 1), 3-D-PFTM plus cross-linked collagen membrane (Group 2), and 3-D-PFTM plus non-cross-linked collagen membrane (Group 3). Each implant was evaluated radiographically using CBCT at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. At the platform level, the mean horizontal hard tissue gain of all the sites was 3.1 +/- 1.3 mm at 6 months postoperatively. The mean rate of mesh exposure was 11.8% in Group 1, 4.2% in Group 2, and 5.0% in Group 3. The mean hard tissue gain rate was 71.0 +/- 23.0% in group 1, 84.2 +/- 21.5% in group 2, and 84.0 +/- 22.9% in group 3. Groups 2 and 3 showed significantly higher hard tissue gain rates than group 1. However, there was no significant difference between the rates in groups 2 and 3. Within the limitations of this study, 3-D-PFTM should be considered as a valuable option for GBR for peri-implant non-contained horizontal defects. The use of an additional resorbable collagen membrane provides additional advantages.