Simulation of Soft Tissue in 3D-Printed Models for Guided Bone Regeneration Education

The use of custom-made 3D-printed models extracted from the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) of the patient provides the dentist with the opportunity to rehearse a surgical procedure such as implant placement enhancing its tactile simulation in order to achieve a predictable and successful surgical outcome. Even the fact that these models have substantially improved the preparation and education in implant surgery, they lack the soft tissue layers necessary for simulating important procedures such as periosteal releasing incisions and flap primary closure. For a more realistic surgical simulation in implant education, the soft tissue layers of the mucoperiosteal flap have been incorporated into the existent 3D-printed model. The purpose of this report is to represent, describe, document and discuss the recreation of the soft tissue layers of the mucoperiosteal flap on a custom-made 3D-printed model extracted from the CBCT of the patient in a case used to simulate a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure.