Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How does customized titanium mesh help with bone defects in pets?
By Zhang S et al.·2026·Department of Implant Dentistry, China·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Placement Error and Bone Regeneration of Customized Titanium Mesh With Vacuum-Formed Placing Template for Anterior Maxillary Bone Defects: A Retrospective Case Series Study.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how well a special type of titanium mesh, designed using 3D printing, can be placed in the front part of the upper jaw to help with bone regeneration after surgery. Ten patients with specific bone defects had their mesh placed using a custom-made template, and the researchers measured how accurately the mesh was positioned and how much bone grew back over time. They found that the mesh moved slightly from its original position, but overall, the bone volume increased significantly, with a high accuracy rate in the graft volume. However, some patients experienced exposure of the mesh, which can happen in about a quarter of cases. Overall, the technique showed promise for effectively placing this customized mesh in jaw surgeries.
Abstract
<h4>Objectives</h4>To evaluate placement error, bone regeneration, and mesh exposure of three-dimensionally printed customized titanium mesh (3DPC Ti-mesh) guided by a vacuum-formed placing template in guided bone regeneration (GBR) for anterior maxillary defects.<h4>Material and methods</h4>10 patients (23 implants) with Terheyden 2/4 or 3/4 defects were included. CBCT data of pre-operation (T0), immediate post-operation (T2), and 5-8 months post-operation (T3) were reconstructed. These three models and preoperative design (T1) model were co-registered to a common coordinate system. Mesh displacement and contour discrepancy were measured. Bone regeneration was evaluated in terms of bone volume and implant-related bone height and width. Classification, time, and rate of mesh exposures were recorded.<h4>Results</h4>Ti-mesh exhibited 0.57 ± 0.65 mm buccal displacement from T1 to T2 and 0.58 ± 0.57 mm apical displacement from T2 to T3. Mesh contour discrepancy was 0.70 ± 0.20 mm between T1 and T2 and decreased to 0.37 ± 0.12 mm between T2 and T3. Comparing T2 to T1, graft volume accuracy reached 91.1% ± 7.6%. Non-infected mesh exposure occurred in 26% implant sites. From T2 to T3, vertical bone resorption of 1.69 ± 1.56 mm and 0.14 ± 0.63 mm were recorded in exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively.<h4>Conclusions</h4>To our knowledge, this is the first study to validate the use of a vacuum-formed template for positioning 3DPC Ti-mesh. Within the study limitations, this technique is a feasible approach for placing customized mesh in anterior maxillary GBR.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41826268