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Objectives: The aim of this narrative review was to explore the application of digital technologies (DT) for the simplification and improvement of bone augmentation procedures in advanced implant dentistry., Material and Methods: A search on electronic databases was performed to identify systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, prospective/retrospective case series, and case reports related to the application of DT in advanced implant dentistry., Results: Seventy-nine articles were included. Potential fields of application of DT are the following: 1) the use of intra-oral scanners for the definition of soft tissue profile and the residual dentition; 2) the use of dental lab CAD (computer-aided design) software to create a digital wax-up replicating the ideal ridge and tooth morphology; 3) the matching of STL (Standard Triangulation Language) files with DICOM (DIgital COmmunication in Medicine) files from CBCTs with a dedicated software; 4) the production of stereolithographic 3D models reproducing the jaws and the bone defects; 5) the creation of surgical templates to guide implant placement and augmentation procedures; 6) the production of customized meshes for bone regeneration; and 7) the use of static or dynamic computer-aided implant placement., Conclusions: Results from this narrative review seem to demonstrate that the use of a partially or fully digital workflow can be successfully used also in advanced implant dentistry. However, the number of studies (in particular RCTs) focused on the use of a fully digital workflow in advanced implant dentistry is still limited and more studies are needed to properly evaluate the potentials of DT., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: To present the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) of atrophic edentulous ridges with customized CAD/CAM titanium meshes., Material and Methods: Forty-one patients, presenting with 53 atrophic sites, were enrolled between 2018 and 2019. GBR was obtained with titanium meshes filled with autogenous bone chips and bovine bone mineral (BBM). After a mean of 7 months (range: 5-12 months), meshes were removed and 106 implants placed. After a mean of 3.5 months (range: 2-5 months), implants were uncovered and prosthetic restorations started. The outcomes were vertical and horizontal bone augmentation changes, biological complications and implant survival., Results: Out of 53 sites, 11 underwent mesh exposure: eight of them were followed by uneventful integration of the graft, while three by partial bone loss. The mean vertical and horizontal bone gain after reconstruction was 4.78 ± 1.88 mm (range 1.00-8.90 mm) and 6.35 ± 2.10 mm (range 2.14-11.48 mm), respectively. At the time of implant placement, mean changes of initial bone gain were -0.39 ± 0.64 mm (range -3.1 to + 0.80 mm) and -0.49 ± 0.83 mm (range -3.7 to +0.4 mm), in the vertical and horizontal dimensions, respectively. Reduction of bone volume was significantly higher (p < .001 for both dimensions) in the exposed sites. The mean follow-up of implants after loading was 10.6 ± 6.5 months (range: 2-26 months). The survival rate of implants was 100%., Conclusion: Customized titanium meshes can represent a reliable tool for GBR of severely atrophic sites, with simplification of the surgical phases., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: To report the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients presenting with edentulous and atrophic ridges and treated with autogenous mandibular bone blocks and rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses., Materials and Methods: From 1997 to 2015, 75 patients presenting with bone defects of the jaws were grafted with autogenous mandibular bone blocks. One-hundred eighty-two implants were placed 4 to 12 months later and loaded 3 to 10 months later: the mean follow-up was 10 years (range: 3-16 years). The following outcomes were recorded: (a) complication rate of the reconstructive procedure; (b) bone graft resorption before implant placement; (c) peri-implant bone resorption; (d) implant-related complications; and (e) implant survival and success rates., Results: Postoperative recovery was uneventful in the majority of patients. An early dehiscence occurred in three patients, but with no significant bone loss, while 3 experienced temporary paraesthesia. The mean vertical and horizontal bone resorption before implant placement was 0.18 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 0.43) and 0.15 mm (SD = 0.42), respectively. The mean peri-implant bone loss ± standard deviation was 1.06 ± 1.19 (range: 0.00-5.05) at patient level and 1.11 ± 1.26 (range: 0.00-5.20) at implant level. Two implants in 2 patients lost integration and were removed; 10 implants in 7 patients developed peri-implantitis, but healed after surgical treatment. The cumulative implant survival and success rates were 98.11% and 85.16%, respectively., Conclusion: Implants placed in areas reconstructed with mandibular bone blocks presented survival rates consistent with those obtained for implants placed in native bone., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: To present the clinical, radiographic, and patient-related outcomes of patients presenting with severely resorbed ridges reconstructed with autogenous calvarial bone blocks and rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses., Material and Methods: From 1998 to 2014, 72 patients presenting with severe bone defects were reconstructed with autogenous calvarial bone blocks covered with bovine bone mineral granules and collagen membranes. Four to 9 months later, 330 implants were placed and loaded 3-9 months later. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 19 years (mean: 8.1 years). The following parameters were recorded: (a) complication rate of the reconstructive procedure; (b) bone resorption before implant placement; (c) implant survival rate and implant-related complications; (d) peri-implant bone resorption; and (e) patient's satisfaction inquired with a dedicated questionnaire., Results: No patients developed severe complications, such as complete loss or resorption of the grafts. A dehiscence occurred in six patients, which developed a mild graft resorption. The mean peri-implant bone resorption before implant placement was 0.13 mm (SD ± 0.71). All patients received the planned number of implants. Three patients were lost during the follow-up. The survival rate of implants at the end of the observation period was 98.5%. The mean peri-implant bone resorption ranged from 0.00 to 4.87 mm (mean: 1.11 mm). At last, 90% of the patients were very satisfied as regards the treatment received., Conclusions: Results from this study suggested that: (a) bone volume in the areas reconstructed with calvarial grafts was stable over time; (b) survival rates of implants were consistent with those reported for implants placed in native bone; (c) patient's satisfaction was high., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)