Clinical study on the novel adjustable titanium mesh fixation tent screw in alveolar ridge augmentation

Objective This experiment aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel adjustable titanium mesh fixation tent screw by comparing its bone augmentation effects with those of conventional titanium screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh in cases where simultaneous implant placement is not feasible, thereby providing a new bone augmentation strategy. Methods This prospective study included 14 patients (20 bone augmentation sites) with severe alveolar bone defects treated at the Implant Center of the Department of Prosthodontics, Changsha Stomatological Hospital, from January 2023 to August 2023. The sites were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (novel tent screw group) received bone augmentation using novel tent screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh, while the control group (conventional titanium screw group) underwent bone augmentation with conventional titanium screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), and 6 months postoperatively (T2) to measure alveolar bone width at 2, 6, and 10 mm below the crest and alveolar bone height at the intended implant sites. Vertical and horizontal bone volume changes, bone graft resorption, bone augmentation success rates, and postoperative complication rates were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0. Results At 6 months postoperatively, vertical bone augmentation in the experimental group (3.26 ± 2.02) mm was significantly greater than in the control group (1.80 ± 0.64) mm (P<0.05). Horizontal bone augmentation at 2 mm below the crest in the experimental group (4.45 ± 2.46 ) mm was significantly higher than in the control group (2.45 ± 1.02) mm (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed at 6 and 10 mm below the crest (P>0.05). Both groups exhibited low vertical and horizontal bone resorption with no significant differences. The bone augmentation success rate was 100% in both groups. The complication rate was 27.3% in the experimental group and 25% in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion For severe alveolar bone defects where simultaneous implantation is not feasible, the novel tent screw combined with prefabricated titanium mesh achieves superior vertical and horizontal bone augmentation. Compared to conventional titanium screws, the novel tent screw demonstrates significantly better vertical bone augmentation and horizontal augmentation at 2 mm below the crest, effectively restoring alveolar ridge contours.