Peri-implant bone augmentation with titanium barrier membrane screwed on implants: Case series

Aim: Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory process that affects the surrounding tissues of the implants. The adhesion of pathogenic biofilms on the peri-implant tissues and the implant surface usually results in inflammation of soft tissues, and the alveolar bone which surrounds the implant is lost overtime. Insufficient bone volume around dental implants is a constant challenge in oral surgery clinics. The aim of this case series report is to demonstrate that a shell-shaped rigid titanium barrier membrane screwed on implants for retention might be a valuable alternative to conventional alveolar bone augmentation in cases when peri-implant bone was lost due to periimplantitis. Materials and Methods: In this case series, a new designed shell-shaped titanium barrier membrane filled with bovine bone graft was used in all 6 patients with 6 bone defects surrounding the implants. During each surgery, a shell shaped rigid titanium barrier membrane was placed and was fixed with a healing screw to the implant. The mean follow-up of the patients was 23 months. Postoperative complications, healing of the tissues and bone regeneration around implants were evaluated as primary outcomes. Results: Healing was achieved in all the patients without any signs of infection. Soft and hard tissue healing was achieved in all the patients without any complications. Bone gain around the implants was easily detected from the radiographs taken before and after the bone augmentation operations. There was no dehiscence, no swelling, no abscess formation in any of the patients. Conclusion: Bone regeneration around the implants with a shell shaped rigid titanium barrier fixed with a healing screw to the implant may be considered a valid and less invasive alternative to traditional methods.