Evaluation of Bone Regeneration Outcomes Following Guided Bone Regeneration in the Anterior Maxillary Region

1. Research background: Guided bone regeneration (GBR), as a bone augmentation technique, is widely used for reconstructing hard tissue defects in implant placement in the anterior esthetic zone. According to the initial bone defect morphology and soft tissue morphology (e.g., the "gingival biotype") in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone, the clinical outcomes of bone regeneration after implantation can be improved by adjusting the direction of implant placement. Currently, few published studies have investigated the effects of bone defect morphology and gingival biotype on GBR outcomes; sample sizes and comprehensive analyses are insufficient, and some results are contradictory. 2. Research objective: Exploring the key soft-tissue factors influencing the osteogenic outcomes of guided bone regeneration in the maxillary anterior region. This study takes gingival biotype as the primary research factor and conducts a prospective cohort comparison between two groups, contrasting the effects of thin versus thick gingival biotypes on bone stability or resorption rates following GBR in the maxillary anterior area. 3. Study design and methods: Design type: prospective clinical study. Study duration: 3 years. Start time: From the date of adoption of ethics. End time: 2027. For all included patients, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and intraoral scans will be performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.