Drilling dimension effects in early stages of osseointegration and implant stability in a canine model

Immediate placement of extra-short implants in refined scapula tip microvascular free flaps: In house virtual planning and surgical technique - Proof of concept

Scapula tip flaps have been introduced in the literature as an ideal surgical treatment option for large defects in the horizontal plane of the maxilla. This article aims to present a unique step by step protocol for a near total maxillectomy with a pterygoid bone resection and consecutive microvascular reconstruction with a harvested scapula tip flap. The protocol includes immediate placement of extra-short implants in donor bone with the aid of Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP), and an in-house 3D printing of medical 3D models and surgical guides. So far, there has been no presented surgical technique combining immediate implant placement in the scapula region with simultaneous microvascular repair. This technique allows: tumour resection; flap harvesting; extra-short implant placements and reconstruction to be performed in one simultaneous procedure. The technique is presented with illustrations, VSP (presented on videos), radiographs, and surgical findings. We discovered that this refinement of the scapula tip surgery has enabled reconstructive procedures to be performed at the same time as implant placements, providing expedited functional and aesthetic outcomes in selected cases. Moreover, modification of the surgical technique could enhance the competence of the oropharyngeal edge. In conclusion, this new surgical protocol utilizing VSP, 3D models and simultaneous extra-short implant placement provides indispensable advantages for such a complicated surgical procedures, while significantly shortening the duration of surgery.

Thermal necrosis-aided dental implant removal: A rabbit model pilot study

BACKGROUND

The significant advances in the materials and biological aspects of dental implants haven't completely eradicated the implant failures. The removal of osseointegrated but otherwise failed implants present several challenges including adjacent tissues damage and necessity of bone augmentation for reimplantation. Controlled thermal necrosis has emerged as an alternative technique to aid removal of osseointegrated dental implants with minimal to no defect to healthy bone or surrounding tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal necrosis-aided implant removal method in a rabbit osseointegration model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 8 male New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Two dental implants were placed on each femur of the rabbits. Heating of the implants was performed after 7 weeks following the implantation. Heating was done by contacting the tip of an electrosurgey tool in monopolar mode at different power settings and contact durations (5W - 2 seconds, 5W - 10 seconds, and 10 W - 10 seconds). No heating was done on the control group. Implant stability right after implantation, before heat application and after heat application was determined using an Osstell™ Mentor Device. Following the removal of implants histological analyses were performed to determine the effects of heat application at cellular level.

RESULTS

ISQ values of the 10W-10s group was significantly lower compared to the other groups (p<0.001). No indication of progressive necrosis or irreversible damage was observed in any of the groups. However, the percent of empty-apoptotic lacunae were statistically higher in the 5W-10s and the 10W-10s groups compared the control and the 5W-2s groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the conditions of this study, we conclude that heat application with an electrosurgery tool using monopolar mode at 10W power for 10 seconds is optimal for reversing osseointegration with no extensive or progressive damage to the bone.

Impact of implant thread design on insertion torque and osseointegration: a preclinical model

BACKGROUND

Successful osseointegration of endosteal dental implants has been attributed to implant design, including the macro-, micro- and nano- geometric properties. Based on current literature pertaining to implant design, the resultant cellular and bone healing response is unknown when the thread thickness of the implants is increased, resulting in an increased contact area in implants designed with healing chambers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two implant designs with different thread profiles on the osseointegration parameters and implant stability at 3- and 6-weeks in vivo using a well-established preclinical dog model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 48 type V Ti alloy implants were divided in two groups according to their thread design (D1= +0.1x/mm and D2= +0.15x/mm) and placed in an interpolated fashion into the radii of six beagles. Insertion torque was measured at time of placement, radii were extracted for histological processing following 3- and 6-week healing intervals. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed in terms of bone to implant contact (%BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy within implant threads (%BAFO). Statistical analyses were performed through a linear mixed model with fixed factors of time and implant thread design.

RESULTS

Surface roughness analysis demonstrated no significant differences in Sa and Sq between D1 and D2 implant designs, which confirmed that both implant designs were homogenous except for their respective thread profiles. For insertion torque, statistically significant lower values were recorded for D1 in comparison to D2 (59.6 ± 11.1 and 78.9 ± 10.1 N⋅cm, respectively). Furthermore, there were no significant differences with respect to histological analysis and histomorphometric parameters, between D1 and D2 at both time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Both thread profiles presented equivalent potential to successfully osseointegrate in the osteotomies, with D2 yielding higher mechanical retention upon placement without detrimental bone resorption.

Pre-Clinical Models in Implant Dentistry: Past, Present, Future

Biomedical research seeks to generate experimental results for translation to clinical settings. In order to improve the transition from bench to bedside, researchers must draw justifiable conclusions based on data from an appropriate model. Animal testing, as a prerequisite to human clinical exposure, is performed in a range of species, from laboratory mice to larger animals (such as dogs or non-human primates). Minipigs appear to be the animal of choice for studying bone surgery around intraoral dental implants. Dog models, well-known in the field of dental implant research, tend now to be used for studies conducted under compromised oral conditions (biofilm). Regarding small animal models, research studies mostly use rodents, with interest in rabbit models declining. Mouse models remain a reference for genetic studies. On the other hand, over the last decade, scientific advances and government guidelines have led to the replacement, reduction, and refinement of the use of all animal models in dental implant research. In new development strategies, some in vivo experiments are being progressively replaced by in vitro or biomaterial approaches. In this review, we summarize the key information on the animal models currently available for dental implant research and highlight (i) the pros and cons of each type, (ii) new levels of decisional procedures regarding study objectives, and (iii) the outlook for animal research, discussing possible non-animal options.

Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field protocols in implant osseointegration: in vivo and in vitro study

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to evaluate two protocols of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on osseointegration and establish one that addresses ideal parameters for its use in dentistry, especially in the optimization of the implants osseointegration process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty male rats (Wistar) were allocated into three experimental groups: control (GC), test A (GTA, 3 h exposed), and test B (GTB, 1 h exposed). All animals received titanium implants in both tibias, and PEMF application (15 Hz, ± 1 mT, 5 days/week) occurred only in the test groups. They were euthanized at 03, 07, 21, and 45 days after PEMF therapy. Removal torque, histomorphometric measurements, three-dimensional radiographic evaluation, and in vitro biological assay analyses were performed.

RESULTS

GTB showed better results compared with GTA in removal torque tests, in bone volume and bone mineral density, cell viability, total protein content, and mineralization nodules (p < 0.05). GTA showed better performance in trabecular bone thickness and cell proliferation compared with GTB (p < 0.05), especially at osseointegration early periods. In the histomorphometric analysis and number of trabeculae, there were no differences in the test groups.

CONCLUSION

PEMF as a biostimulator was effective in optimizing the events in bone tissue that lead to osseointegration, especially when applied for a shorter time and in the initial periods of bone healing.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The PEMF therapy is an effective alternative method for optimizing bone healing.

Implant primary stability depending on protocol and insertion mode - an ex vivo study

Background

Dental implant primary stability is thought to be a fundamental prerequisite for the long-term survival and success. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of protocol and insertion mode on dental implant stability ex vivo. One hundred and twenty implants were inserted either manually or machine-driven into porcine mandibles by a standard or over-dimensioned protocol. Dental implant stability was measured via resonance frequency analysis (RFA), insertion torque (IT), and torque out (TO).

Results

Statistically significant higher IT and TO values were seen after standard protocol insertion (p < 0.05), whereas manual and machine-driven insertion mode showed equivalent values.

Conclusions

The over-dimensioned protocol exceeded the primary stability values recommended for immediate implant insertion; therefore, it could be recommended as well.

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.

Interfacial biomechanical properties of a dual acid-etched versus a chemically modified hydrophilic dual acid-etched implant surface: an experimental study in Beagles

BACKGROUND

The high survival clinical success rates of osseointegration are requisites for establishing a long-term biomechanical fixation and load-bearing potential of endosseous oral implants. The objective of this preclinical animal study was to evaluate the effect of surface microtopography and chemistry on the early stages of biomechanical rigidity with a sandblasted, dual acid-etched surface, with or without an additional chemical modification (SAE-HD and SAE, respectively), in the tibia of Beagle dogs.

METHODS

Two pairs of implants, with the same macrogeometry but different surface technology ((a) dual acid-etched surface treatment with hydrochloric and sulfuric acid followed by microwave treatment and insertion in isotonic saline solution to increase hydrophilicity (SAE-HD) (test, n = 12) and (b) dual acid-etched surface (SAE) (control, n = 12)), were installed bilaterally in the proximal tibia of six Beagle dogs. In order to determine the effect of surface modification on biomechanical fixation, a test protocol was established to assess the torque and a complete set of intrinsic properties. Maximum removal torque (in N cm) was the primary outcome measure, while connection stiffness (N cm/rad) and removal energy (× 10^-2J) were the secondary outcome measures and were assessed after 2 and 4 weeks in vivo. A general linear statistical model was used and performed for significant differences with the one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The removal torque values did not reveal significant statistical differences between SAE-HD and SAE implants at any observation times (P = 0.06). Although a slight increase over time could be observed in both test and control groups. SAE-HD showed higher removal energy at 4 weeks (999.35 ± 924.94 × 10^- 2 J) compared to that at 2 weeks (421.94 ± 450.58 × 10^- 2 J), while SAE displayed lower values at the respective healing periods (P = 0.16). Regarding connection stiffness, there were no significant statistical differences neither within the groups nor over time. There was a strong, positive monotonic correlation between removal torque and removal energy (=0.722, n = 19, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, no significant differences were observed between the specific hydrophilic (SAE-HD) and hydrophobic (SAE) surfaces evaluated, in terms of biomechanical properties during the early osseointegration period.

Influence of Implant Surfaces on Osseointegration: A Histomorphometric and Implant Stability Study in Rabbits

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability and osseointegration of implant with different wettability using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and histomorphometric analysis (bone implant contact, BIC; and bone area fraction occupied, BAFO) after 2 and 4 weeks in rabbit tibiae. Thirty-two Morse taper implants (length 7 mm, diameter 3.5 mm) were divided according to surface characteristics (n=8): Neo, sandblasted and dual acid-etched; and Aq, sandblasted followed by dual acid-etched and maintained in an isotonic solution of 0.9% sodium chloride. Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were used. Two implants of each group were installed in the right and left tibiae according to the experimental periods. The RFA (Ostell(r)) was obtained immediately and after the sacrifice (2 and 4 weeks). The bone/implant blocks were processed for histomorphometric analysis. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test and Pearson's correlation for ISQ, BIC and BAFO parameters (p=0.05). No significant effect of implant, period of evaluation or interaction between implant and period of evaluation was found for BIC and BAFO values (p>0.05). Only period of evaluation had significant effect for RFA values at 4 weeks (p=0.001), and at 2 weeks (p<0.001). RFA values were significantly higher at the final period of evaluation compared with those obtained at early periods. There was a significant correlation between BIC values and BAFO values (p=0.009). Both implant surfaces, Aq and Neo, were able to produce similar implant bone integration when normal cortical bone instrumentation was performed.