BACKGROUND: Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is a biocompatible ceramic material widely used in the field of oral regeneration. Due to its excellent biological and mechanical properties, it is increasingly utilized for alveolar ridge augmentation or guided bone regeneration (GBR). With recent advances in computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), β-TCP can now be used in the form of digitally designed patient-specific scaffolds for customized bone regeneration (CBR) of advanced defects in a two-stage implant therapy concept. In this case report following the CARE case report guidelines, we present a novel application of a patient-specific β-TCP scaffold in pre-implant mandibular alveolar ridge augmentation.
METHODS: A 63-year-old female patient with significant horizontal bone loss in the posterior mandible was treated with a custom β-TCP scaffold in the context of a two-stage backward-planned implant therapy. Cone-beam computed tomography nine months after augmentation showed successful integration of the scaffold into the surrounding bone, allowing implant placement. Follow-up until two years after initial surgery showed excellent oral and peri-implant health.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the potential of patient-specific β-TCP scaffolds for alveolar ridge augmentation and their advantage over traditional techniques, including avoidance of xeno-, allo-, and autografts. The results provide encouraging evidence for their use in clinical practice. Patient-specific β-TCP scaffolds may be a promising alternative for clinicians seeking to provide their patients with safe, predictable, and effective alveolar ridge augmentation results in customized bone regeneration procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Complex, three-dimensional bony defects still represent challenging situations in routine implant dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate implant survival in customized bone regeneration using a patient-specific titanium mesh.
METHODS: Patients (n = 21, implants 36) who had obtained an augmentation procedure with patient-specific titanium mesh were examined after 5.7 ± 0.38 years. Survival rate, clinical parameters for periimplantitis (Bleeding on Probing [BOP] and suppuration), and radiographic examination were evaluated. Peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL) was calculated by using an image assessment program. Additionally, the influence of various factors on treatment outcomes such as periodontitis, smoking, professional maintenance, or diabetes was assessed as well as the impact on quality of life applying the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP).
RESULTS: The implant survival rate was 97%, with one implant loss in the lower jaw. At the end of the observation period, MBL showed mesial 0.13 ± 1.84 mm and distal -0.13 ± 1.73 mm. The lower jaw showed significant more MBL mesial compared with the upper jaw (p = .034, cluster-adjusted). Periodontitis was significantly associated with MBL mesial and distal (p < .05). Positive BOP (four implants) was significantly associated with MBL mesial (p = .0031) and distal (p = .0018). MBL was significantly associated with suppuration mesial (p < .0001) and distal (p < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: CBR® results in high implant survival rate and stabilized augmented marginal bone after follow-up of minimum 5 years. Periodontitis seems to play the mayor role for long-term stability indicated by BOP and suppuration.

Missing or reduced buccal bone plates and a reduced vertical dimension still represent challenges in bone grafting and require a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. The protocol presented in this short technical note describes the clinical application of a patient-specific, titanium lattice structure for customized bone regeneration (CBR). A 3D projection of the bony defect is generated, and an individualized titanium lattice structure designed using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) procedures and rapid prototyping. By confirming this design interactively, the surgeon is integrated into the design process. The aim of this technical note is to describe the principle of a novel and modern digital workflow, and describe a possible improvement to the common hand-configured lattice structure graft technique. The new protocol presented in this note facilitated and shortened surgery time, and may be a successful and predictable procedure for rebuilding an atrophied complex bone defect.

BACKGROUND: Neurophysiological changes after oral and maxillofacial surgery remain one of the topics of current research.
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated if implant placement associated with augmentation procedures increases the possibility of sensory disturbances or result in impaired quality of life during the healing period.
METHODS: Patients who had obtained an implant placement in the lower jaw in combination with augmentation procedures were examined by implementing a comprehensive Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) protocol for extra- and intraoral use. As augmentation procedures, we used Guided Bone Regeneration (Group A) and Customized Bone Regeneration (Group B) techniques. Patients were tested bilaterally at the chin and mucosal lower lip. Results were compared to a group without augmentation procedures (Group C). Patients\' quality of life and psychological comorbidity after the surgical procedures was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
RESULTS: For groups A (n = 20) and B (n = 8), mechanical QST parameters showed no significant differences in all qualities of the inferior alveolar nerve compared to the contralateral side and compared to the nonaugmentation control group (n = 32) as well. Evaluation of quality of life and psychological factors showed no statistical differences.
CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation procedures did not increase sensory disturbances, indicating no changes in the neurophysiological pathways. Extended augmentation procedures did not lead to sensory changes either or result in an impaired quality of life or modified anxiety and depression scores.