Early Healing Evaluation of Commercially Pure Titanium and Ti-6Al-4V Presenting Similar Surface Texture: An In Vivo Study

Computational models and their applications in biomechanical analysis of mandibular reconstruction surgery

Advanced head and neck cancers involving the mandible often require surgical removal of the diseased parts and replacement with donor bone or prosthesis to recreate the form and function of the premorbid mandible. The degree to which this reconstruction successfully replicates key geometric features of the original bone critically affects the cosmetic and functional outcomes of speaking, chewing, and breathing. With advancements in computational power, biomechanical modeling has emerged as a prevalent tool for predicting the functional outcomes of the masticatory system and evaluating the effectiveness of reconstruction procedures in patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction surgery. These models offer cost-effective and patient-specific treatment tailored to the needs of individuals. To underscore the significance of biomechanical modeling, we conducted a review of 66 studies that utilized computational models in the biomechanical analysis of mandibular reconstruction surgery. The majority of these studies employed finite element method (FEM) in their approach; therefore, a detailed investigation of FEM has also been provided. Additionally, we categorized these studies based on the main components analyzed, including bone flaps, plates/screws, and prostheses, as well as their design and material composition.

Titanium Alloys for Dental Implants: A Review

The topic of titanium alloys for dental implants has been reviewed. The basis of the review was a search using PubMed, with the large number of references identified being reduced to a manageable number by concentrating on more recent articles and reports of biocompatibility and of implant durability. Implants made mainly from titanium have been used for the fabrication of dental implants since around 1981. The main alloys are so-called commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and Ti-6Al-4V, both of which give clinical success rates of up to 99% at 10 years. Both alloys are biocompatible in contact with bone and the gingival tissues, and are capable of undergoing osseointegration. Investigations of novel titanium alloys developed for orthopaedics show that they offer few advantages as dental implants. The main findings of this review are that the alloys cpTi and Ti-6Al-4V are highly satisfactory materials, and that there is little scope for improvement as far as dentistry is concerned. The conclusion is that these materials will continue to be used for dental implants well into the foreseeable future.

Biomaterial and biomechanical considerations to prevent risks in implant therapy

This paper is aimed to present a biomaterials perspective in implant therapy that fosters improved bone response and long-term biomechanical competence from surgical instrumentation to final prosthetic rehabilitation. Strategies to develop implant surface texturing will be presented and their role as an ad hoc treatment discussed in light of the interplay between surgical instrumentation and implant macrogeometric configuration. Evidence from human retrieved implants in service for several years and from in vivo studies will be used to show how the interplay between surgical instrumentation and implant macrogeometry design affect osseointegration healing pathways, and bone morphologic and long-term mechanical properties. Also, the planning of implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitations targeted at long-term performance will be appraised from a standpoint where personal preferences (eg, cementing or screwing a prosthesis) can very often fail to deliver the best patient care. Lastly, the acknowledgement that every rehabilitation will have its strength degraded over time once in function will be highlighted, since the potential occurrence of even minor failures is rarely presented to patients prior to treatment.

Effect of Different Surface Treatments on Titanium Dental Implant Micro-Morphology

Background: Titanium dental implants are today widely used with osseointegration mainly dependently on the implant surface properties. Different processing routes lead to different surface characteristics resulting, of course, in different in situ behaviors of the implants. Materials: The effect of different treatments, whether mechanical or chemical, on the surface morphology of titanium implants were investigated. To this aim, various experimental methods, including roughness analysis as well scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, were applied. Results: The results showed that, in contrast to the mechanical treatments, the chemical ones gave rise to a more irregular surface. SEM observations suggested that where commercial pure titanium was used, the chemical treatments provided implant surfaces without contaminations. In contrast, sandblasted implants could cause potential risks of surface contamination because of the presence of blasting particles remnants. Conclusions: The examined implant surfaces showed different roughness levels in relation to the superficial treatment applied. The acid-etched surfaces were characterized by the presence of deeper valleys and higher peaks than the sandblasted surfaces. For this reason, acid-etched surfaces can be more easily damaged by the stress produced by the peri-implant bone during surgical implant placement.