Osseointegration of zirconia implants: an SEM observation of the bone-implant interface

Impact of DAG stimulation on mineral synthesis, mineral structure and osteogenic differentiation of human cord blood stem cells

It remains unexplored in what way osteogenic stimulation with dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and β-glycerol phosphate (DAG) influences the process of mineralization, the composition and structure of the assembled mineral. Therefore, we analyzed and characterized biomineralization in DAG-stimulated and unstimulated 3D human unrestricted somatic stem cell (USSC) cultures. Microspheres were analyzed by histological staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), semi-quantitative energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), quantitative wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and Raman spectroscopy. Mineral material was detected by SEM and histological staining in both groups, and showed structural differences. DAG influenced the differentiation of USSCs and the formation, structure and composition of the assembled mineral. SEM showed that cells of the +DAG spheres exhibited morphological signs of osteoblast-like cells. EDX and WDX confirmed a Ca-P mineral in both groups. Overall, the mineral material found showed structural similarities to the mineral substance of bony material.

Innovations in dental implant design for current therapy

The use of osseointegrated dental implants has gained momentum, mainly in the last 20 years. Research and development in the field of implantology are constantly focusing on implant redesign to continue to try and improve implant success. The current aim of implant design is to address situations prone to failure, such as cases of low bone quality or cases of concomitant systemic diseases that compromise healing.

Innovations in dental implant design for current therapy

The use of osseointegrated dental implants has gained momentum, mainly in the last 20 years. Research and development in the field of implantology are constantly focusing on implant redesign to continue to try and improve implant success. The current aim of implant design is to address situations prone to failure, such as cases of low bone quality or cases of concomitant systemic diseases that compromise healing.

Zirconia dental implants: a literature review

Titanium and titanium alloys are widely used for fabrication of dental implants. Because of potential immunologic and possible esthetic compromises with titanium implants, novel implant technologies are being developed. However, these novel technologies must maintain the characteristics that provide titanium implants with their high success rates. Zirconia implants were introduced into dental implantology as an alternative to titanium implants. Zirconia seems to be a suitable implant material because of its toothlike color, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and low plaque affinity. The aim of this study is to review clinical and research articles conducted on zirconia dental implants, compare them with titanium dental implants, and provide information on zirconia dental implant osseointegration and mechanical strength. Zirconia dental implants have the potential to become alternative dental implants to titanium dental implants, but they are not yet in routine clinical use.

Biocompatibility of osteogenic predifferentiated human cord blood stem cells with biomaterials and the influence of the biomaterial on the process of differentiation

Modern cell-based bone reconstruction therapies offer new therapeutic opportunities and tissue engineering represents a more biological-oriented approach to heal bone defects of the skeleton. Human unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) derived form umbilical cord blood offer new promising aspects e.g., can differentiate into osteogenetic cells. Furthermore these cells have fewer ethical and legal restrictions compared to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of osteogenic pre-differentiated USSCs with various biomaterials and to address the question, whether biomaterials influence the process of differentiation of the USSCs. After osteogenic differentiation with DAG USSCs were cultivated with various biomaterials. To asses the biocompatibility of USSCs the attachment and the proliferation of the cells on the biomaterial were measured by a CyQUANT(®) assay, the morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the influence of the gene expression was analyzed by real time PCR. Our results provide evidence that insoluble collagenous bone matrix followed by β-tricalciumphosphate is highly suitable for bone tissue engineering regarding cell attachment and proliferation. The gene expression analysis indicates that biomaterials influence the gene expression of USSCs. These results are in concordance with our previous study with ESCs.