Surgical Combined Approach for Alveolar Ridge Augmentation with Titanium Mesh and rhPDGF-BB: A 3-Year Clinical Case Series

The purpose of this case series was to report the clinical outcomes and histologic findings of vertical ridge augmentation using a combination of titanium mesh and recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB). Two patients were included, and anorganic bovine bone particles were used. The bone graft was mixed with rhPDGF-BB and loaded onto the bony defect up to the level of the adjacent alveolar crest. A preadapted titanium mesh was placed over the grafted region; no areas of the grafted region were exposed. Postoperative healing was without complications. During reentry surgery for removal of the titanium mesh, all implants could be placed according to the prosthetic design. This report demonstrates the remarkable efficacy of guided bone regeneration using a combination of titanium mesh and rhPDGF for vertical ridge augmentation, thus expanding the indications for implant therapy and allowing recovery of the three-dimensional esthetic architecture in a severely resorbed alveolar ridge.