Graphene-Doped Poly (Methyl-Methacrylate) (Pmma) Implants: A Micro-CT and Histomorphometrical Study in Rabbits.

Background-the graphene-doping procedure represents a useful procedure to improve the mechanical, physical and biological response of several Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-derived polymers and biomaterials for dental applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate osseointegration of Graphene doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) (GD-PMMA) compared with PMMA as potential materials for dental implant devices. Methods-eighteen adult New Zealand white male rabbits with a mean weight of approx. 3000 g were used in this research. A total of eighteen implants of 3.5 mm diameter and 11 mm length in GD-PMMA and eighteen implants in PMMA were used. The implants were placed into the articular femoral knee joint. The animals were sacrificed after 15, 30 and 60 days and the specimens were evaluated by µCT and histomorphometry. Results-microscopically, all 36 implants, 18 in PMMA and 18 in DG-PMMA were well-integrated into the bone. The implants were in contact with cortical bone along the upper threads, while the lower threads were in contact with either newly formed bone or with marrow spaces. The histomorphometry and µCT evaluation showed that the GP-PMMA and PMMA implants were well osseointegrated and the bone was in direct contact with large portions of the implant surfaces, including the space in the medullary canal. Conclusions-in conclusion, the results suggest that GD-PMMA titanium surfaces enhance osseointegration in rabbit femurs. This encourages further research to obtain GD-PMMA with a greater radiopacity. Also, further in vitro and vivo animal studies are necessary to evaluate a potential clinical usage for dental implant applications.

Fixture-abutment connection surface and micro-gap measurements by 3D micro-tomographic technique analysis.

X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) is a miniaturized form of conventional computed axial tomography (CAT) able to investigate small radio-opaque objects at a-few-microns high resolution, in a non-destructive, non-invasive, and tri-dimensional way. Compared to traditional optical and electron microscopy techniques, which provide two-dimensional images, this innovative investigation technology enables a sample tri-dimensional analysis without cutting, coating or exposing the object to any particular chemical treatment. X-ray micro-tomography matches ideal 3D microscopy features: the possibility of investigating an object in natural conditions and without any preparation or alteration; non-invasive, non-destructive, and sufficiently magnified 3D reconstruction; reliable measurement of numeric data of the internal structure (morphology, structure and ultra-structure). Hence, this technique has multi-fold applications in a wide range of fields, not only in medical and odontostomatologic areas, but also in biomedical engineering, materials science, biology, electronics, geology, archaeology, oil industry, and semi-conductors industry. This study shows possible applications of micro-CT in dental implantology to analyze 3D micro-features of dental implant to abutment interface. Indeed, implant-abutment misfit is known to increase mechanical stress on connection structures and surrounding bone tissue. This condition may cause not only screw preload loss or screw fracture, but also biological issues in peri-implant tissues.

Microtomography evaluation of dental tissue wear surface induced by in vitro simulated chewing cycles on human and composite teeth.

In this study a 3D microtomography display of tooth surfaces after in vitro dental wear tests has been obtained. Natural teeth have been compared with prosthetic teeth, manufactured by three different polyceramic composite materials. The prosthetic dental element samples, similar to molars, have been placed in opposition to human teeth extracted by paradontology diseases. After microtomography analysis, samples have been subjected to in vitro fatigue test cycles by servo-hydraulic mechanical testing machine. After the fatigue test, each sample has been subjected again to microtomography analysis to obtain volumetric value changes and dental wear surface images. Wear surface images were obtained by 3D reconstruction software and volumetric value changes were measured by CT analyser software. The aim of this work has been to show the potential of microtomography technique to display very clear and reliable wear surface images. Microtomography analysis methods to evaluate volumetric value changes have been used to quantify dental tissue and composite material wear.

Injury of the inferior alveolar nerve after overfilling of the root canal with endodontic cement: a case report.

The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) contains mainly sensory fibers. Within the mandibular canal, the IAN runs forward in company of the inferior alveolar artery, and together they are called the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. Disturbances of the IAN and mental nerve will predominantly give sensitivity symptoms in the soft tissue of the lower lip and chin. We present a case report of endodontic overfilling involving the mandibular canal. A 52-year-old woman was seen in our outpatient clinic for pain and numbness in the left lower lip and chin, which developed following an endodontic treatment for her mandibular left second premolar. The panoramic radiograph showed radiopaque material in the inferior alveolar canal region, with an extension from the left canine to the second premolar. This case report shows an unusual complication of mandibular second premolar root canal overfilling. The patient underwent treatment with corticosteroids, and after 2 months, the clinical examination revealed an improved clinical situation with a disappearance of the hypoesthesia but with a persistence of the pain. After 4 months, the pain had almost entirely disappeared. In conclusion, even if in our case no surgical treatment was used and although spontaneous resorption has been described for some materials, early surgical exploration with removal of the material and decompression of the IAN is suggested, irrespective of the material used, because the severity of nerve damage can increase with the duration of the injury.

Bone response to zirconia ceramic implants: an experimental study in rabbits.

This study analyzes the bone response to zirconia ceramic implants inserted in New Zealand white mature male rabbits. The implants were inserted into the tibia, and each rabbit received 4 implants. All the animals were euthanatized after 4 weeks. A total of 20 implants were retrieved. Implants and surrounding tissues were immediately fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% glutaraldehyde in 0.15 molar cacodylate buffer at 4 degrees C and pH 7.4 to be processed for histology. The specimens were processed to obtain thin ground sections with the Precise 1 Automated System. The slides were observed in normal transmitted light under a Leitz Laborlux microscope. A great quantity of newly formed bone was observed in close contact with zirconia ceramic surfaces; in some areas, many osteoblasts were present directly on the zirconia. Percentage of bone-implant contact was 68.4% +/- 2.4%. Mature bone, with few marrow spaces, was present. Small actively secreting osteoblasts were present in the most coronal and apical portions of the implant. No inflamed or multinucleated cells were present. This study concluded that these implants are highly biocompatible and osteoconductive.