Custom-Made PEEK Versus PTFE Membranes in Maxillary Alveolar Ridge Augmentation

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a widely accepted technique used to reconstruct deficient alveolar ridges prior to or in conjunction with dental implant placement. This study is designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of two different non-resorbable barrier membranes in maxillary ridge augmentation: customized polyether ether ketone (PEEK) membranes and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes.

Thirty patients requiring maxillary alveolar ridge augmentation in the esthetic zone will be recruited from the Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University. Patients will be randomly allocated into two groups of equal size. Group A will receive patient-specific 3D-printed PEEK membranes designed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Group B will receive PTFE membranes stabilized over the grafted site using bone tacks.

In both groups, autogenous bone graft combined with xenogeneic bone substitute will be used for ridge augmentation. Standard surgical protocols will be followed, including flap elevation, recipient site preparation, graft placement, and tension-free primary closure.

Clinical outcomes will be assessed by evaluating soft tissue healing, infection, membrane exposure, and wound dehiscence. Radiographic outcomes will be evaluated using CBCT scans taken immediately postoperatively, at 6 months, and at 12 months. Three-dimensional analysis will be performed using specialized software to measure volumetric bone gain as well as linear horizontal and vertical ridge augmentation.

The study aims to determine whether customized PEEK membranes provide comparable or superior outcomes to PTFE membranes in terms of bone regeneration, stability of augmented volume, and postoperative complications.