Guided bone regeneration using titanium grids: report of 10 cases

In order to ensure an adequate space where new bone can be formed in guided bone regeneration (GBR), most surgeons fill bone defects with biomaterials . In this work we evaluated new bone regeneration in 10 patients using only a blood clot protected with titanium grids and non-resorbable membranes, w ithout any filling material. A manual measurement of the size of the bone d efect, using a plastic probe, was performed at 2 surgical steps. After 5 mo nths of treatment, a biopsy was taken from each patient, fixed and embedded in PMMA, examined microradiographically and morphologically to evaluate th e newly-formed bone. Our results showed a good repair of the defects by bon e regeneration (about 85% overall), high mineral density of new bone around the implants after 5 months, and steady state deposition processes. These results in GBR, without filling material, appear very promising for implant ology and reconstructive odontostomatology practice.