The Effectiveness of Osseodensification Drilling Protocol for Implant Site Osteotomy: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis

Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Primary Care: A Scoping Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to severe joint impairment and chronic disability. Primary care (PC), provided by general practitioners (GPs), is the first level of contact for the population with the healthcare system. The aim of this scoping review was to analyze the approach to RA in the PC setting. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using the MESH terms "rheumatoid arthritis" and "primary care" from 2013 to 2023. The search strategy followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The 61 articles selected were analyzed qualitatively in a table and discussed in two sections, namely criticisms and strategies for the management of RA in PC. The main critical issues in the management of RA in PC are the following: difficulty and delay in diagnosis, in accessing rheumatological care, and in using DMARDs by GPs; ineffective communication between GPs and specialists; poor patient education; lack of cardiovascular prevention; and increase in healthcare costs. To overcome these criticisms, several management strategies have been identified, namely early diagnosis of RA, quick access to rheumatology care, effective communication between GPs and specialists, active patient involvement, screening for risk factors and comorbidities, clinical audit, interdisciplinary patient management, digital health, and cost analysis. PC appears to be the ideal healthcare setting to reduce the morbidity and mortality of chronic disease, including RA, if a widespread change in GPs' approach to the disease and patients is mandatory.

The Effectiveness of Osseodensification Drilling versus the Conventional Surgical Technique on Implant Stability: A Clinical Trial

Background/Objective: To ensure that implants are able to support prosthetic rehabilitation, a stable and functional union between the bone and the implant surface is crucial to its stability and success. To increase bone volume and density and excel bone-implant contact, a novel drilling method, called osseodensification (OD), was performed. To assess the effectiveness of the osseodensification drilling protocol versus the conventional surgical technique on implant stability. Methods: Bone Level Tapered Straumann implants were placed side-by-side with both OD and subtractive conventional drilling (SD) in 90 patients from CESPU-Famalicão clinical unit. IT was measured using a manual torque wrench, and the Implant stability quotient (ISQ) value was registered using the Osstell® IDX. Results: According to the multifactorial ANOVA, there were statistically significant differences in the mean IT values due to the arch only (F(1.270) = 4.702, p-value = 0.031 < 0.05). Regarding the length of the implant, there were statistically significant differences in the mean IT in the OD group (p = 0.041), with significantly lower mean IT values for the Regular implants compared to the Long. With respect to the arch, the analyses of the overall ISQ values showed an upward trend in both groups in the maxilla and mandible. High levels of IT also showed high ISQ values, which represent good indicators of primary stability. Conclusions: OD does not have a negative influence on osseointegration compared to conventional subtractive osteotomy.

Advancing Postoperative Pain Management in Oral Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

The goal of this review is to shed light on the management of orofacial discomfort after a cancer diagnosis in the head and neck region. A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies on postoperative pain control in oral cancer. The review included open-access research, investigations into pain management, randomized clinical trials, retrospective studies, case-control studies, prospective studies, English-written studies, and full-text publications. Exclusion criteria included animal studies; in vitro studies; off-topic studies; reviews, case reports, letters, or comments; and non-English language. Three reviewers independently accessed databases and assigned a quality rating to the chosen articles. The review explores postoperative pain management in oral cancer patients; highlighting persistent opioid use; the efficacy of adjuvant drugs, such as gabapentin; and a multimodal approach. It emphasizes the need for personalized pain management, recognizing individual pain perception and tailoring interventions. Integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies is crucial for comprehensive pain management. The review also serves as a guide for future research, emphasizing the need for standardized methodologies and diverse participant populations.

Maxillary Sinus Floor Elevation and Simultaneous Implant Installation via Osseodensification Drills: A Retrospective Analysis of Bone Gain in 72 Patients Followed for 6 Months

Background/Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to radiographically evaluate the endo-sinus bone gain (ESBG) following osseodensification procedures using CBCT and compare the results to more conventional sinus lifting techniques. Methods: A total of 72 patients underwent crestal sinus floor elevation procedures and were provided with 102 implants with a sand-blasted and acid-etched surface with microthreads (Medentika® Microcone Implants, Hugelsheim, Germany). Patients were divided into two groups; the osseodensification group (OD; n = 36) and the osseodensified augmentation group (ODA; n = 36). Results: The mean residual bone height (RBH) was 5.71 (1.77) and 4.30 (0.94) mm in the OD and ODA groups, respectively. An ESBG of 3.45 (1.18) and 5.74 (1.31) mm was observed in the OD and ODA groups, respectively, and as compared to the baseline RBH, the ESBG was statistically significant in both groups after 6 months (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limits of this retrospective study, crestal sinus lifting with the osseodensification technique seems to be a fast, effective, and safe method. Longer follow-up studies with full intrasinus bone topography and structure analyses are needed to prove the success rate of endo-sinus bone gain.

Emerging factors affecting peri-implant bone metabolism

Implant dentistry has evolved to the point that standard implant osseointegration is predictable. This is attributed in part to the advancements in material sciences that have led toward improvements in implant surface technology and characteristics. Nonetheless, there remain several cases where implant therapy fails (specifically at early time points), most commonly attributed to factors affecting bone metabolism. Among these patients, smokers are known to have impaired bone metabolism and thus be subject to higher risks of early implant failure and/or late complications related to the stability of the peri-implant bone and mucosal tissues. Notably, however, emerging data have unveiled other critical factors affecting osseointegration, namely, those related to the metabolism of bone tissues. The aim of this review is to shed light on the effects of implant-related factors, like implant surface or titanium particle release; surgical-related factors, like osseodensification or implanted biomaterials; various drugs, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, anti-hypertensives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and statins, and host-related factors, like smoking, diet, and metabolic syndrome on bone metabolism, and aseptic peri-implant bone loss. Despite the infectious nature of peri-implant biological complications, these factors must be surveyed for the effective prevention and management of peri-implantitis.

Osseodensification versus lateral window technique for sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement: A randomized clinical trial on patient-reported outcome measures

OBJECTIVES

To compare patient-reported outcome measures and additional surgical outcomes after sinus floor elevation (SFE) with osseodensification (OD) versus lateral window (LW), both with simultaneous implant placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty participants requiring single-implant rehabilitation with residual bone height (RBH) ≤4 mm were enrolled. Pain experience, quality of life (QoL) via the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), analgesics intake, and other symptoms were self-reported for a week on a daily basis. Surgery duration, complications, and implant stability quotient at baseline (ISQ T0 ) and after 6 months (ISQ T6 ) were registered. Participants were followed up for 1 year.

RESULTS

From Day 0 (day of surgery) to Day 3, pain experience was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the OD group. OHIP-14 score was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the OD group on all postoperative days, except on Day 5. Average analgesics intake was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the OD group. Surgery mean duration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in LW compared to OD (71.1 ± 10.4 vs. 32.9 ± 5.3 min). After osseointegration period, all implants were successfully restored with screw-retained crowns.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that OD and LW techniques were similarly effective in SFE with simultaneous implant placement when RBH ≤ 4 mm. However, OD significantly outperformed LW in pain experience, impact on self-perceived QoL, surgery duration, postoperative edema, and analgesics intake.

Performance of a new implant system and drilling protocol-A minipig intraoral dental implant model study

AIM

A new implant system encompassing implants with a tri-oval cross-sectional design and a simplified site preparation protocol at low speed and no irrigation has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the new implant system using the minipig intraoral dental implant model.

METHODS

Eight Yucatan minipigs were included. Twelve weeks after extractions, four implants per animal were randomly placed and allowed to heal transmucosal for 13 weeks: two Ø3.5 × 10 mm implants with a back-tapered collar and circular cross-section (control) and two Ø3.5 × 11 mm implants with tri-oval collar and cross-section (test). MicroCT and histological analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-two implants were placed; one implant for the control group was lost. Histologically, BIC was higher in the test compared with the control group (74.1% vs. 60.9%, p < .001). At the platform level, inflammation was statistically significantly higher albeit mild in the test compared with the control group. No other significant differences were observed between groups. MicroCT analysis showed that bone-to-implant-contact (BIC) and trabecular thickness were statistically significantly higher for the test than the control group. Test group had significantly higher first BIC distance than controls on lingual sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study results support the safety and efficacy of the new dental implant system and simplified site preparation protocol; human studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.

Clinical outcomes of dental implants placed in fresh sockets: A five-year retrospective study

Purpose

This retrospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the implants placed in fresh sockets and investigate the effect of varied oral health conditions and treatment plan details on the clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Materials and methods

Fifty-nine participants (102 implants) were included in this study. Four variables, including mean probing depth (PD), mean marginal bone loss (MBL), pink esthetic score (PES), and patient satisfaction, were significant dependent variables, and the effects of independent variables on these four items were studied. The data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using a statistical software.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 4.75 ± 1.74 years, and the mean MBL was 1.21 ± 0.81 mm. The survival rate was 97 %. There were significant effects of the finish line site, keratinized gingival width, and attached gingival width on PD after adjusting the factors. Also, the implant brand, plaque index, and uncemented prosthesis affected MBL significantly. In addition, significant effects of the surgeon, implant brand, and proximal contact on PES were found.

Conclusion

More PD was found around restorations with a finish line site > 1.5 mm subgingival. Sufficient attached gingiva was a more effective factor on PD than keratinized gingiva. Implants with more plaque scores showed more MBL.

A Comparative Assessment of Primary Implant Stability Using Osseodensification vs. Conventional Drilling Methods: A Systematic Review

Osseodensification is a novel biomechanical bone preparation technique that has been established to replace conventional bone drilling and therefore will optimize the implant site. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the implant stability obtained by osseodensification drilling to those associated with conventional drilling techniques. An electronic search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Oral Health Group, and Dentistry and Oral Science Source databases searched through Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) for potentially relevant publications in the English language from January 2013 to December 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSIs), contrasting osseodensification drilling with conventional drilling, studies documenting implant stability quotient (ISQ), and studies reporting the immediate outcome and at least three months of follow-up after dental implant placement were included. Two independent investigators evaluated the quality of the reviewed studies to determine the risk of bias using the version 2 of Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB) tool for RCTs (RoB 2) and RoB for NRSIs (ROBINS-I). Majority of the studies showed that bone density was significantly higher in the osseodensification group. The overall RoB for the NRSIs was reported to be low with respect to confounding, selection, classification, incomplete data, deviance from interventions, outcome evaluation, and selective reporting. The quality assessment of the RCT studies included in the review using the RoB 2 tool showed a high overall risk. The findings of the current review reveal that osseodensification drilling exhibited higher resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and ISQ values than conventional drilling protocols. Similarly, when osseodensification regions were contrasted with traditional drilling, bone density at the implant surface was augmented.

Effect of bone density on the survival of 407 sandblasted and acid-etched dental implants: A retrospective multicenter study

Background

This study evaluated the success and survival rate of sandblasted and acid-etched dental implants according to the patient's bone quality.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in five clinical centers between 2016 and March 2019. A total of 407 implants (KONTACTTM S, Biotech Dental, France) placed in 229 patients (61.5±12.9 years old) were included. Bone quality, classified as types D1 to D4 (Misch classification), maximal insertion torque, and bone loss were measured. The implant survival rate was evaluated after one year for the overall cohort and for each bone quality. The overall survival rate after four years was also estimated with a Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

After one year (12.8±9.6 months), eight implants were lost out of 407, representing an overall survival rate of 98%. It ranged from 100% for D1 to 89.7% for D4 (n=39), with significantly higher survival rates for D2 (n=93) and D3 (n=165) (98.9% and 98.2%, respectively) compared to D4. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, an overall survival rate of 96.5% was estimated after four years. An average maximal insertion torque of 45±12.6 N.cm and bone loss of 0.2±1.2 mm were measured.

Conclusion

The high overall survival rate (98%), the average maximal insertion torque (45 N.cm), and the low marginal bone loss indicated good clinical results with acid-etched implants. Despite the relatively high survival rate for each bone quality, the significantly lower results in the D4 group highlight the expected benefits of bone quality-based implants and surgical protocols.

Surface Coatings of Dental Implants: A Review

Replacement of missing teeth is possible using biocompatible devices such as endosseous implants. This study aims to analyze and recognize the best characteristics of different implant surfaces that ensure good peri-implant tissue healing and thus clinical success over time. The present review was performed on the recent literature concerning endosseous implants made of titanium, a material most frequently used because of its mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics. Thanks to its low bioactivity, titanium exhibits slow osseointegration. Implant surfaces are treated so that cells do not reject the surface as a foreign material and accept it as fully biocompatible. Analysis of different types of implant surface coatings was performed in order to identify ideal surfaces that improve osseointegration, epithelial attachment to the implant site, and overall peri-implant health. This study shows that the implant surface, with different adhesion, proliferation, and spreading capabilities of osteoblastic and epithelial cells, influences the cells involved in anchorage. Implant surfaces must have antibacterial capabilities to prevent peri-implant disease. Research still needs to improve implant material to minimize clinical failure.

Hybrid Funnel Technique: A Novel Approach for Implant Site Preparation: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Different techniques and tools have been developed for implant site preparation. In this clinical scenario, Hybrid Funnel Technique (HFT), a novel osteotomy procedure, has been proposed. (2) Aim: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to consider the different responses to compression of the histological bony compartments (cancellus and cortical). HFT involves the use of multiple drills for the cortical layer preparation and of an osteotome for the osteocompaction of the cancellous bone. (3) Materials and Methods: Following computer-supported implant planning and guided surgery, 10 osteotomies with HFT were performed and 10 implants with the same length and diameter were placed in seven healthy and no daily smoking patients. Periapical X-ray and intraoral photographs were performed at baseline and after 12 months of follow-up to evaluate marginal bone level (MBL) changes and aesthetic results obtained from implant prosthetic rehabilitation. (4) Results: At 1 year of follow-up, 100% of the implants were successfully integrated, MBL change mean value was 0.17 mm ± 0.21. No differences in terms of MBL were noted between thin and thick biotypes. Pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES), assessed one year after definitive restoration placement, were 7.5 ± 2.3 and 8.5 ± 1.1, respectively. (5) Conclusions: Based on the findings of this preliminary clinical study, HFT has led to stability of peri-implant tissues and could represent a reliable technique for surgical preparation of the implant site.

Intra- and inter-operator concordance of the resonance frequency analysis. A cross-sectional and prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVE

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) provides an evaluation of implant stability over time. This analysis is a non-invasive, precise, and objective method. Several studies compare the RFA system with other devices. However, few investigations analyze repeatability and reproducibility between different operators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-operator concordance of the Osstell® ISQ.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RFA measurements were performed with Osstell® ISQ in a total of 37 implants placed in 21 patients. At the time of implant placement, 6 measurements per implant were taken by three different experienced operators. Three measurements were carried out consecutively and three by removing and placing the SmartPeg-Osstell® to assess intra-operator and inter-operator agreement.

RESULTS

Intra-operator concordance according to the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed high concordance. The ICC values were higher than 0.9 (p < 0.0001) for consecutive measures and alternative measures, being almost perfect of Landis & Koch classification. For inter-operator concordance The ICC was 0.709 (p < 0.0001) and 0.670 (p < 0.0001) for consecutive and alternative measures, respectively, both estimates being in the substantial category. In torque and ISQ values, no statistically significant differences were observed when operators and measurements were compared.

CONCLUSIONS

Osstell® ISQ system was stable both in intra-operator and inter-operator measurements. This device has excellent repeatability and reproducibility, demonstrating reliability to measure the stability of dental implants.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) is a non-invasive, objective, and reliable diagnostic method to determine the ideal moment to load the implant, as well as to predict possible failures.

Osseointegration of a New, Ultrahydrophilic and Nanostructured Dental Implant Surface: A Comparative In Vivo Study

This study compared the osseointegration of acid-etched, ultrahydrophilic, micro- and nanostructured implant surfaces (ANU) with non-ultra-hydrophilic, microstructured (SA) and non-ultrahydrophilic, micro- and nanostructured implant surfaces (AN) in vivo. Fifty-four implants (n = 18 per group) were bilaterally inserted into the proximal tibia of New Zealand rabbits (n = 27). After 1, 2, and 4 weeks, bone-implant contact (BIC, %) in the cortical (cBIC) and spongious bone (sBIC), bone chamber ingrowth (BChI, %), and the supra-crestal, subperiosteal amount of newly formed bone, called percentage of linear bone fill (PLF, %), were analyzed. After one week, cBIC was significantly higher for AN and ANU when compared to SA (p = 0.01 and p = 0.005). PLF was significantly increased for ANU when compared to AN and SA (p = 0.022 and p = 0.025). After 2 weeks, cBIC was significantly higher in SA when compared to AN (p = 0.039) and after 4 weeks, no significant differences in any of the measured parameters were found anymore. Ultrahydrophilic implants initially improved osseointegration when compared to their non-ultrahydrophilic counterparts. In accordance, ultrahydrophilic implants might be appropriate in cases with a necessity for an accelerated and improved osseointegration, such as in critical size alveolar defects or an affected bone turnover.

The Use of Osseodensification for Ridge Expansion and Dental Implant Placement in Narrow Alveolar Ridges: A Prospective Observational Clinical Study

ABSTRACT

The osseodensification (OD) drilling technique was suggested as an alveolar ridge expansion technique, so the aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the amount of bone expansion obtained by the OD drilling technique and its effect on implant stability in patients with narrow alveolar ridges. The width of the alveolar ridge was measured at the crest before and after implant site preparation, whereas the implant stability was measured using Osstell Beacon implant stability quotient (ISQ). The ISQ values were recorded immediately postoperatively and after 16 weeks. Twenty-three patients were included; they received 40 implants. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) amount of expansion was 1.29 (± 0.41) mm, and the difference between pre-expansion and post-expansion bone width was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean (± SD) primary stability was 73.73 (± 2.85) ISQ, whereas the mean (± SD) secondary stability was 74.83 (± 2.73) ISQ, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.043). The implant survival rate was 100%. It can be concluded that using the OD technique in narrow alveolar ridges resulted in bone expansion without dehiscence or fenestration and allowed simultaneous implant placement with high primary and secondary implant stability.

Innovative Concepts and Recent Breakthrough for Engineered Graft and Constructs for Bone Regeneration: A Literature Systematic Review

Background: For decades, regenerative medicine and dentistry have been improved with new therapies and innovative clinical protocols. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate through a critical review the recent innovations in the field of bone regeneration with a focus on the healing potentials and clinical protocols of bone substitutes combined with engineered constructs, growth factors and photobiomodulation applications. Methods: A Boolean systematic search was conducted by PubMed/Medline, PubMed/Central, Web of Science and Google scholar databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results: After the initial screening, a total of 304 papers were considered eligible for the qualitative synthesis. The articles included were categorized according to the main topics: alloplastic bone substitutes, autologous teeth derived substitutes, xenografts, platelet-derived concentrates, laser therapy, microbiota and bone metabolism and mesenchymal cells construct. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the present investigation showed that the use of biocompatible and bio-resorbable bone substitutes are related to the high-predictability of the bone regeneration protocols, while the oral microbiota and systemic health of the patient produce a clinical advantage for the long-term success of the regeneration procedures and implant-supported restorations. The use of growth factors is able to reduce the co-morbidity of the regenerative procedure ameliorating the post-operative healing phase. The LLLT is an adjuvant protocol to improve the soft and hard tissues response for bone regeneration treatment protocols.

Reliability and Correlation of Different Devices for the Evaluation of Primary Implant Stability: An In Vitro Study

Our aim was to analyze the correlation between the IT evaluated by a surgical motor and the primary implant stability (ISQ) measured by two RFA devices, Osstell and Penguin, in an in vitro model. This study examines the effect of bone type (soft or dense), implant length (13 mm or 8 mm), and implant design (CC: conical connection; IH: internal hexagon), on this correlation. Ninety-six implants were inserted using a surgical motor (IT) into two types of synthetic foam blocks. Initial measurements for both the peak IT and ISQ were recorded at the point when implant insertion was stopped by the surgical motor, and the final measurements were recorded when the implant was completely inserted into the synthetic blocks using only the RFA devices. Our null hypothesis was that there is a good correlation between the devices, independent of the implant length, design, or bone type. We found a positive, significant correlation between the IT, and the Osstell and Penguin devices. Implant length and bone type did not affect this correlation. The correlation between the devices in the CC design was maintained; however, in the IH design it was maintained only between the RFA devices. We concluded that there is a high positive correlation between the IT and ISQ from a mechanical perspective, which was not affected by bone type or implant length but was affected by the implant design.

Comparison of Implant Stability between Regenerated and Non-Regenerated Bone. A Prospective Cohort Study

Implant stability is one of the main indicators of successful osseointegration. Although it has been measured in numerous studies, there has been little research on implant stability in regenerated bone. The study compares primary and secondary stability between implants placed in regenerated versus native bone and evaluates the influence of bone quality on the results. Sixty implants were placed in 31 patients: 30 implants inserted in native bone (non-regenerated) after a healing period of at least 6 months post-exodontia and 30 inserted in regenerated bone at 6 months after grafting with xenograft. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was used to obtain implant stability quotient (ISQ) values at baseline (implant placement), 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Statistically significant differences were found between implants placed in regenerated bone and those placed in native bone at all measurement time points (p < 0.05). ISQ values were significantly influenced by bone quality at baseline (p < 0.05) but not at 8 or 12 weeks. Greater stability was obtained in implants placed in native bone; however, those placed in regenerated bone showed adequate primary and secondary stability for prosthetic loading. Bone quality influences the primary but not secondary stability of the implants in both native and regenerated bone.

In-Vitro Investigation of Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of Transmucosal versus Submerged Bone Level Implants Used in Fixed Prosthesis

Background: The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the fatigue performance of different dental fixtures in two different emergence profiles. Biological failures are frequently reported because the problem canonly be solved by replacing a failing implant with a new one. Clinicians addressed minor mechanical failures, such as bending, loosening or the fracture of screws, abutment, or the entire prosthesis, by simply replacing or fixing them. Methods: Transmucosal and submerged bone-level dental implants underwent fatigue strength tests (statical and dynamical performance) by a standardized test: UNI EN ISO 14801:2016. Two types of emergence profiles (Premium sub-crestal straight implant with a cylindrical-shaped coronal emergence or Prama one-piece cylindrical-shape implant with transmucosal convergent neck and hyperbolic geometry) were tested, and dynamic fatigue were run to failure. Data was analyzed by a suitable statistical tool. Results: The Wöhler curve of 0.38 cm Premium group c2, appeared to be significantly different from that of the 0.38 cm Prama group c3 (nonparametric one-way ANOVA χ2 = 6; degree of freedom = 1; probability = 0.0043) but not from that of the 0.33 cm Premium group c1 (nonparametric one-way ANOVA χ2 = 0.62; degree of freedom = 1; probability = 0.4328). Fatigue performance of configuration 2 was one and a half times better than that of configuration 3. Group c3 had a better ultimate failure load (421.6 ± 12.5 N) than the other two settings i.e., c1 (324.5 ± 5.5 N) and c2 (396.3 ± 5.6) reaching almost a nonsignificant level. Conclusions: It was observed that a transmucosal implant design could provide the highest resistance to static fracture. On the other hand, an equicrestal implant design could increase dynamic endurance.

Titanium Functionalized with Polylysine Homopolymers: In Vitro Enhancement of Cells Growth

In oral implantology, the success and persistence of dental implants over time are guaranteed by the bone formation around the implant fixture and by the integrity of the peri-implant mucosa seal, which adheres to the abutment and becomes a barrier that hinders bacterial penetration and colonization close to the outer parts of the implant. Research is constantly engaged in looking for substances to coat the titanium surface that guarantees the formation and persistence of the peri-implant bone, as well as the integrity of the mucous perimeter surrounding the implant crown. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effects of a titanium surface coated with polylysine homopolymers on the cell growth of dental pulp stem cells and keratinocytes to establish the potential clinical application. The results reported an increase in cell growth for both cellular types cultured with polylysine-coated titanium compared to cultures without titanium and those without coating. These preliminary data suggest the usefulness of polylysine coating not only for enhancing osteoinduction but also to speed the post-surgery mucosal healings, guarantee appropriate peri-implant epithelial seals, and protect the fixture against bacterial penetration, which is responsible for compromising the implant survival.

The Impact of Dental Implant Surface Modifications on Osseointegration and Biofilm Formation

Implant surface design has evolved to meet oral rehabilitation challenges in both healthy and compromised bone. For example, to conquer the most common dental implant-related complications, peri-implantitis, and subsequent implant loss, implant surfaces have been modified to introduce desired properties to a dental implant and thus increase the implant success rate and expand their indications. Until now, a diversity of implant surface modifications, including different physical, chemical, and biological techniques, have been applied to a broad range of materials, such as titanium, zirconia, and polyether ether ketone, to achieve these goals. Ideal modifications enhance the interaction between the implant's surface and its surrounding bone which will facilitate osseointegration while minimizing the bacterial colonization to reduce the risk of biofilm formation. This review article aims to comprehensively discuss currently available implant surface modifications commonly used in implantology in terms of their impact on osseointegration and biofilm formation, which is critical for clinicians to choose the most suitable materials to improve the success and survival of implantation.