Topographic characterisation of dental implants for commercial use

Tribocorrosion of 3D printed dental implants: An overview

With the advancements in dental science and the growing need for improved dental health, it has become imperative to develop new implant materials which possess better geometrical, mechanical, and physical properties. The oral environment is a corrosive environment and the relative motion between the teeth also makes the environment more hostile. Therefore, the combined corrosion and tribology commonly known as tribocorrosion of implants needs to be studied. The complex shapes of the dental implants and the high-performance requirements of these implants make manufacturing difficult by conventional manufacturing processes. With the advent of additive manufacturing or 3D-printing, the development of implants has become easy. However, the various requirements such as surface roughness, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance further make the manufacturing of implants difficult. The current paper reviews the various studies related to3D-printed implants. Also, the paper tries to highlight the role of 3D-Printing can play in the area of dental implants. Further studies both experimental and numerical are needed to devise optimized conditions for 3D-printing implants to develop implants with improved mechanical, corrosion, and biological properties.

Influence of Clinical Decontamination Techniques on the Surface Characteristics of SLA Titanium Implant

The study aims: 1. To perform diode laser, titanium (Ti) brush, and Ti curette treatment on sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) Ti surfaces, with/without H2O2 and CHX, 2. To investigate the influence of decontamination techniques on implant surface topography and hydrophilicity. Diode laser, Ti brush, and Ti curette treatments were performed on the Grade 4 Ti discs, with/without treatment with 3% H2O2 solution or 0.2% CHX. Surface characteristics were investigated via SEM, optical profilometry, and water contact angle meter. SEM findings revealed flat and scratched areas when treated with Ti curette and Ti brush. For diode laser, SEM showed melting in specific areas. Ra and Rt values were lower in all test groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The adjunctive chemical treatment showed negligible effects in SEM images and surface roughness measurements compared to laser and mechanical treatment-only groups. H2O2 treatment resulted in enhanced hydrophilicity in either treatment modalities with a significant difference compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). In all test groups, the hydrophilicity was enhanced compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). Diode laser treatment had the least disruptive effect on the Ti surface characteristics. The use of other mechanical methods caused significant alterations in the surface roughness.

Biomimetic Implant Surfaces and Their Role in Biological Integration—A Concise Review

Background: The increased use of dental implants in oral rehabilitation has been followed by the development of new biomaterials as well as improvements in the performance of biomaterials already in use. This triggers the need for appropriate analytical approaches to assess the biological and, ultimately, clinical benefits of these approaches. Aims: To address the role of physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics in order to determine the critical parameters to improve biological responses and the long-term effectiveness of dental implant surfaces. Data sources and methods: Web of Science, MEDLINE and Lilacs databases were searched for the last 30 years in English, Spanish and Portuguese idioms. Results: Chemical composition, wettability, roughness, and topography of dental implant surfaces have all been linked to biological regulation in cell interactions, osseointegration, bone tissue and peri-implant mucosa preservation. Conclusion: Techniques involving subtractive and additive methods, especially those involving laser treatment or embedding of bioactive nanoparticles, have demonstrated promising results. However, the literature is heterogeneous regarding study design and methodology, which limits comparisons between studies and the definition of the critical determinants of optimal cell response.

Nanotubular Oxide Layer Formed on Helix Surfaces of Dental Screw Implants

Surface modification is used to extend the life of implants. To increase the corrosion resistance and improve the biocompatibility of metal implant materials, oxidation of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr titanium alloy was used. The samples used for the research had the shape of a helix with a metric thread, with their geometry imitating a dental implant. The oxide layer was produced by a standard electrochemical method in an environment of 1M H3PO4 + 0.3% HF for 20 min, at a constant voltage of 30 V. The oxidized samples were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope. Nanotubular oxide layers with internal diameters of 30–80 nm were found. An analysis of the surface topography was performed using an optical microscope, and the Sa parameter was determined for the top of the helix and for the bottom, where a significant difference in value was observed. The presence of the modification layer, visible at the bottom of the helix, was confirmed by analyzing the sample cross-sections using computed tomography. Corrosion tests performed in the artificial saliva solution demonstrated higher corrosion current and less noble corrosion potential due to incomplete surface coverage and pitting. Necessary improved oxidation parameters will be applied in future work.

Superficial Characteristics of Titanium after Treatment of Chorreated Surface, Passive Acid, and Decontamination with Argon Plasma

(1) Background. Titanium is characterized by its biocompatibility, resistance to maximum stress, and fatigue and non-toxicity. The composition, surface structure, and roughness of titanium have a key and direct influence on the osseointegration processes when it is used in the form of dental implants. The objective of the present study is to characterize, at chemical, superficial, and biological levels, the result of the application of the sandblasted with large-grit and acid-etched (SLA) treatment consisting of coarse-grained and double-passivated acid blasting with subsequent decontamination with argon plasma on the surface of titanium implants type IV. (2) Methods. Four Oxtein^® dental implants (Zaragoza, Spain) were investigated with the following coding: Code L63713T (titanium grade IV, 3.75 mm in diameter, and 13 mm in length). The surface of the implants was SLA type obtained from coarse-grained, double passivated acid, and decontaminated with argon plasma. The samples were in their sealed packages and were opened in our laboratory. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique was used to characterize the chemical composition of the surface, and the scanning electronic microscope (SEM) technique was used to perform topographic surface evaluation. Cell cultures were also performed on both surfaces. (3) Results. The superficial chemical analysis of the studied samples presented the following components, approximately, expressed in atomic percentage: O: 39%; Ti: 18%; C: 39%; N: 2%; and Si: 1%. In the same way, the topographic analysis values were obtained in the evaluated roughness parameters: R_a: 1.5 μm ± 0.02%; R_q: 1.31 μm ± 0.33; R_z: 8.98 μm ± 0.73; R_p: 5.12 μm ± 0.48; R_v: 3.76 μm ± 0.51; and R_c: 4.92 μm ± 0.24. At a biological level, the expression of osteocalcin was higher (p < 0.05) on the micro-rough surface compared to that machined at 48 and 96 h of culture. (4) Conclusions. The data obtained in our study indicate that the total carbon content, the relative concentration of titanium, and the roughness of the treatment performed on the implants are in agreement with those found in the literature. Further, the roughness of the treatment performed on the implants throws a spongy, three-dimensional surface suitable for bone growth on it. The biological results found are compatible with the clinical use of the surface tested.

Interleukin-7 Induces Osteoclast Formation via STAT5, Independent of Receptor Activator of NF-kappaB Ligand

Interleukin-7 (IL-7), which is required for the development and survival of T cells in the thymus and periphery, plays a role in joint destruction. However, it remains unclear how IL-7 affects osteoclast formation. Thus, we investigated the mechanism by which IL-7 induced osteoclast formation through IL-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα) in osteoclast precursors. We cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells or synovial fluid mononuclear cells with IL-7 in the presence or absence of an appropriate inhibitor to analyze osteoclast formation. We also constructed IL-7Rα-expressing RAW264.7 cells to uncover the mechanism(s) by which IL-7 induced osteoclast formation differed from that of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). We found that IL-7 induced osteoclast formation of human monocytes from peripheral blood or synovial fluid in a RANKL-independent and a signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5)-dependent manner. IL-7-induced osteoclasts had unique characteristics, such as small, multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive cells and no alterations even when RANKL was added after IL-7 pretreatment. RAW264.7 cells, if overexpressing IL-7Rα, also were able to differentiate into osteoclasts by IL-7 through a STAT5 signaling pathway. Furthermore, IL-7-induced osteoclast formation was repressed by inhibitors of the IL-7R signaling molecules Janus kinase and STAT5. Our findings demonstrate that IL-7 is a truly osteoclastogenic factor, which may induce osteoclast formation via activation of STAT5, independent of RANKL. We also suggest the possibility that an IL-7R pathway blocker could alleviate joint damage by inhibiting osteoclast formation, especially in inflammatory conditions.