Implantoplasty and the risk of fracture of narrow implants with advanced bone loss: A laboratory study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of implantoplasty (IP) on maximum implant failure strength of narrow diameter implants of different type/design and material, with simulated advanced bone loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Narrow, parallel-walled implants (3.3 mm in diameter × 10 mm long) with an internal connection of different type/design [bone level (BL), tissue level (TL)] and material [Titanium grade IV (Ti), Titanium-Zirconium alloy (TiZr)] from one specific manufacturer were used. Half of the implants were subjected to IP in their coronal 5 mm; the remaining were used as controls (seven implants per group). Dynamic loading prior to maximum load strength testing was included.

RESULTS

During dynamic loading, the fracture rate of BL implants was low and independent of IP, while that of TL implants increased significantly with IP compared with controls (p = .001). Maximum implant failure strength reduction (in %) due to IP, was 1.3%-25.4%; TiZr BL implants were least affected. Implants subjected to IP compared to those without IP as well as TL implants compared to BL implants showed a significantly lower maximum implant failure strength (p < .002); implant material was not significant (p = .845).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on data from implants of one specific manufacturer, IP has a significant negative impact on the fracture strength of narrow implants suffering from advanced peri-implantitis. TL implants have been more severely affected compared to BL implants and presented an increased risk for failure during normal chewing forces. In addition, this negative impact of IP on TL implants was independent of the implant material (i.e., Ti or TiZr).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Narrow single TL implants with advanced horizontal bone loss (e.g., 5 mm), when subjected to IP, appear to have an increased fracture risk during normal function.

C3-targeted host-modulation approaches to oral inflammatory conditions

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by biofilm accumulation and dysbiosis in subgingival areas surrounding the teeth. If not properly treated, this oral disease may result in tooth loss and consequently poor esthetics, deteriorated masticatory function and compromised quality of life. Epidemiological and clinical intervention studies indicate that periodontitis can potentially aggravate systemic diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer disease. Therefore, improvements in the treatment of periodontal disease may benefit not only oral health but also systemic health. The complement system is an ancient host defense system that plays pivotal roles in immunosurveillance and tissue homeostasis. However, complement has unwanted consequences if not controlled appropriately or excessively activated. Complement overactivation has been observed in patients with periodontitis and in animal models of periodontitis and drives periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction. This review places emphasis on a promising periodontal host-modulation therapy targeting the complement system, namely the complement C3-targeting drug, AMY-101. AMY-101 has shown safety and efficacy in reducing gingival inflammation in a recent Phase 2a clinical study. We also discuss the potential of AMY-101 to treat peri-implant inflammatory conditions, where complement also seems to be involved and there is an urgent unmet need for effective treatment.