Rigid fixation and space maintenance by titanium mesh for reconstruction of the premaxilla

Lee, Eun Young; Kim, Kyoung Won; Choi, Hee Won; Koh, Myoung Won

Abstract

Reconstruction of defect in the anterior part of the maxilla to enable implant placement or prothesis is a complicated treatment due to the anatomical position and lack of soft tissues. Two cases are presented in which autogenous iliac PMCB(particulate marrow and cancellous bone) with titanium mesh were used for premaxilla reconstruction and alveolar bone repair of the anterior maxillas prior to denture and implants fixation respectively. Cancellous bone from the anterior iliac crest was compressed and placed against a titanium mesh fixed to the bone of palate in a patient with severe defect of the anterior maxilla. There were no problem in the healing, and the anterior maxillas of two patients had increased height and width during the initial healing and remodeling. The clinical reports describe the use of titanium mesh for reconstruction of premaxilla. Autogenous bone grafts were harvested from the iliac crest and were loaded on a titanium mesh that were left in the patient's maxilla for 6 months before they were removed respectively. The radiographic analysis demonstrated that a 10mm vertical ridge augmentation had been achieved. In guided bone regeneration, the quantity of bone regenerated under the barrier has been demonstrated to be directly related to the amount of the space under the membrane. This space can diminish as a result of membrane collapse. To avoid this problem which involved the use of a titanium mesh barrier to protect the regenerating tissues and to achieve a rigid fixation of the bone segments, were used in association with autologous bone in 2 cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of a configured titanium mesh to serve as a mechanical and biologic device for restoring a vertically defected premaxilla.