Custom-Made Synthetic Scaffolds for Bone Reconstruction: A Retrospective, Multicenter Clinical Study on 15 Patients

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To present a computer-assisted-design/computer-assisted-manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technique for the design, fabrication, and clinical application of custom-made synthetic scaffolds, for alveolar ridge augmentation.

Methods.

The CAD/CAM procedure consisted of (1) virtual planning/design of the custom-made scaffold; (2) milling of the scaffold into the exact size/shape from a preformed synthetic bone block; (3) reconstructive surgery.

The main clinical/radiographic outcomes were vertical/horizontal bone gain, any biological complication, and implant survival.

Results.

Fifteen patients were selected who had been treated with a custom-made synthetic scaffold for ridge augmentation.

The scaffolds closely matched the shape of the defects: this reduced the operation time and contributed to good healing.

A few patients experienced biological complications, such as pain/swelling (2/15: 13.3%) and exposure of the scaffold (3/15: 20.0%); one of these had infection and complete graft loss.

In all other patients, 8 months after reconstruction, a well-integrated newly formed bone was clinically available, and the radiographic evaluation revealed a mean vertical and horizontal bone gain of 2.1±0.9 mm and 3.0±1.0 mm, respectively.

Fourteen implants were placed and restored with single crowns.

The implant survival rate was 100%.

Conclusions.

Although positive outcomes have been found with custom-made synthetic scaffolds in alveolar ridge augmentation, further studies are needed to validate this technique.