Natural Sciences, Stomotology, 2026
ISSN: 1829-006X
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF CUSTOMIZED 3D TITANIUM MESH VERSUS TITANIUMREINFORCED DENSE POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE(D-PTFE) MEMBRANE IN HORIZONTAL RIDGE AUGMENTATION USING CBCT– A PILOT STUDY
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Submitted: 2026-04-10
© 2026 by author(s) and The Gufo Inc.
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(CC BY-NC 4.0).
Abstract
Aim: The study aims to evaluate and compare bone width gain in horizontal ridge augmentation, using customized 3D
titanium mesh and titanium-reinforced dense polytetrafluoroethylene membrane(d-PTFE)
Material and methods: Six patients in total were recruited, three patients allocated to Group A (augmented with dPTFE), and three to Group B (with customized 3D titanium mesh). After 6 months; bone width gain, membrane exposure rates, surgical time, and soft tissue assessment by patient questionnaire were measured.
Result: Significantly higher bone width gain was noted in Group B . Surgical time was higher in Group A. Both groups
indicated predictable, acceptable healing outcomes and biocompatibility of the materials used.
Conclusion: Both groups demonstrated satisfactory outcomes but a greater horizontal bone width gain was observed in Group B. Membrane exposure occurred in one patient from Group A during early healing; none noted in Group B.
Surgical time was shorter in Group B, indicating efficiency and satisfactory healing. Patient-reported outcomes were
favorable, with five out of six patients reporting satisfactory healing. Within the limitations of the study, both materials may be considered as promising options for ridge augmentation. Further studies with bigger sample sizes, arch-specific analysis, and long-term follow-up are required to substantiate these findings.