New bone formation and trabecular bone microarchitecture of highly porous tantalum compared to titanium implant threads: A pilot canine study.

AIM: This study evaluated new bone formation activities and trabecular bone microarchitecture within the highly porous region of Trabecular Metal™ Dental Implants (TM) and between the threads of Tapered Screw-Vent® Dental Implants (TSV) in fresh canine extraction sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight partially edentulated dogs received four implants (4.1 mmD × 13 mmL) bilaterally in mandibular fresh extraction sockets (32 TM, 32 TSV implants), and allowed to heal for 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Calcein was administered to label mineralizing bone at 11 and 4 days before euthanasia for dogs undergoing all four healing periods. Biopsies taken at each time interval were examined histologically. Histomorphometric assay was conducted for 64 unstained and 64 stained slides at the region of interest (ROI) (6 mm long × 0.35 mm deep) in the midsections of the implants. Topographical and chemical analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Histomorphometry revealed significantly more new bone in the TM than in the TSV implants at each healing time (p = .0014, .0084, .0218, and .0251). Calcein-labeled data showed more newly mineralized bone in the TM group than in the TSV group at 2, 8, and 12 weeks (p = .045, .028, .002, respectively) but not at 4 weeks (p = .081). Histologically TM implants exhibited more bone growth and dominant new immature woven bone at an earlier time point than TSV implants. The parameters representing trabecular bone microarchitecture corroborated faster new bone formation in the TM implants when compared to the TSV implants. TM exhibited an irregular faceted topography compared to a relatively uniform microtextured surface for TSV. Chemical analysis showed peaks associated with each implant's composition material, and TSV also showed peaks reflecting the elements of the calcium phosphate blasting media. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that the healing pathway associated with the highly porous midsection of TM dental implant could enable faster and stronger secondary implant stability than conventional osseointegration alone; however, prospective clinical studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits in patients with low bone density, compromised healing, or prior implant failure.

Bone ingrowth and initial stability of titanium and porous tantalum dental implants: a pilot canine study.

PURPOSE: To investigate if a dental implant system with a midsection covered by 3-dimensionally porous tantalum material would exhibit stability comparable with a traditional threaded titanium alloy implant system and whether bone would grow into the porous section. METHODS: Three experimental and 3 control implants were placed in the individual mandibles of 8 dogs. Resonance frequency analysis assessed implant stability at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing. Histomorphometric and backscattered scanning electron microscopic analyses examined the presence of bone ingrowth into the experimental implant's porous section and bone-to-implant contact along the titanium surfaces of both implants. RESULTS: Implant stability did not significantly differ during 0 to 12 weeks of healing. Progressive tissue mineralization developed inside porous sections from weeks 2 to 12. Porous implants exhibited a combination of progressive osseointegration along their titanium surfaces and bone ingrowth inside their porous tantalum sections. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical and apical implant threads, combined with the porous section, were able to stabilize the experimental implant to the same degree as the fully threaded control implant.

Immediate mechanical stability of threaded and porous implant systems.

BACKGROUND: Primary stability of a dental implant system is an essential factor to maintain its long-term success. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine whether primary stability is different between threaded and porous dental implant systems placed in artificial bone blocks and human cadaveric mandibular bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two threaded and 42 highly porous dental implants were placed in artificial polyurethane bone foams with 7 different thicknesses (3.5 to 12mm). In addition, 11 threaded and 11 porous implants were installed in 8 edentulous mandibles of human cadavers. Implant stability quotient values, insertion torque, static and dynamic stiffness, and viscoelastic tan δ of each implant system were measured. Mean gray values were obtained at the implantation sites in the human mandible. FINDINGS: The porous implant group had substantially lower implant stability quotient values and insertion torque values than the threaded implant group that were equal or >5.5mm in thickness of the artificial bone block (p<0.026) with the exception of 8.5mm thickness, while static and dynamic stiffness values were not different between the two implant groups greater than 5.5mm in thickness (p>0.132). Static and dynamic stiffness values of the porous group were significantly greater than the thread group in the human mandibular bone (p<0.015). INTERPRETATION: The porous layer supports axial loading better than lateral and shear loading of the dental implant system. This result indicates that trabecular shaped architecture of the porous layer may provide sufficient anchorage compromising reduction of the axial primary stability of the porous implant system to be comparable with the threaded implant system.

Associations of Resonance Frequency Analysis with Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Dental Implant Systems.

BACKGROUND: Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) has been introduced as a noninvasive method to clinically estimate the stability of dental implant systems. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine whether implant stability quotient (ISQ) values of RFA can account for mechanical stability of the dental implant system, which is assessed using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven screw-type titanium dental implants were placed in artificial polyurethane foams with seven different thicknesses (3.5 to 12 mm) and eight edentulous mandibles of human cadavers (four men and four women, 79.11 ± 13.48 years). After the ISQ values, insertion torque, and static stiffness of each implant system were measured, the DMA was performed to assess dynamic stiffness and viscoelastic tan δ. RESULTS: The ISQ value had strong positive correlations with thickness, insertion torque, static and dynamic stiffness, and a negative correlation with tan δ of implant systems in artificial bone blocks (r = 0.769 to 0.992, p < .043). However, the ISQ value was correlated with only the insertion torque of implant systems in human mandibles (p < .049). CONCLUSION: The ISQ values could reflect mechanical stability of the dental implant system under the controlled condition of homogeneous density in simple dimensions.

Evaluation of Different Implant Designs in a Ligature-Induced Peri-implantitis Model: A Canine Study.

PURPOSE: Peri-implantitis is a challenging situation that leads to tissue destruction and eventual implant failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare, clinically and histologically, the influence of ligature-induced peri-implantitis on two implant designs in a canine extraction socket model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four implants (4.1 × 13 mm) were placed bilaterally in eight dogs immediately after extraction of the mandibular premolars (P3, P4) and molars (M1, M2). Thirty-two conventional threaded implants (group A) and 32 tantalum-based porous implants (group B) were placed. After 12 weeks of normal healing, experimental peri-implantitis was induced in four dogs via the placement of ligatures subgingivally around the implant necks in the treatment group; the control group remained ligature-free. Two dogs in each group were euthanized after 12 or 26 weeks of plaque accumulation (control group dogs received regular cleanings). Clinical evaluations were conducted during the observation period and histologic sections were obtained for histologic and histomorphometric assessments. RESULTS: All the implants exhibited clinical and histologic osseointegration. The treatment group showed significant loss of peri-implant tissue from the induced peri-implantitis. Pocket probing depths for the treatment groups were significantly greater than those of the control groups. Mean bone-to-implant-contact values were not statistically different for control vs treatment groups or for group A vs group B. In the treatment group, group B implants exhibited mean bone ingrowth of 28.4% to 36.3% and achieved more bone formation along the length of the implant than group A implants in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Implant design did not influence the tissue response or histomorphometric findings under induced peri-implantitis in the canine extraction socket.

Outcome after placement of tantalum porous engineered dental implants in fresh extraction sockets: a canine study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the stability and histologic proof of osseoincorporation of Trabecular Metal (TM) dental implants, which feature a tantalum-based porous midsection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 TM implants (test group) and Tapered Screw-Vent implants (control group) were immediately placed bilaterally into mandibular extraction sockets in dogs. Resonance frequency analysis was performed at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 12 after implant placement. Histologic and histomorphometric evaluations of the implant interface were performed. RESULTS: Changes in mean implant stability quotients (ISQ) revealed no statistical differences between the test and control groups. Histologic analysis showed bone ingrowth into the porous tantalum structure of all test group implants. Histomorphometric analysis revealed an increased percentage of bone-to-implant contact between 4 and 8 weeks in both test and control groups. The porous sections of the test group exhibited significantly more new bone inside the pores at week 12 in comparison to weeks 2 and 4. No correlation was observed between ISQ and histomorphometric parameters. CONCLUSION: In a canine immediate extraction socket model, both test and control implants demonstrated comparable implant stability and bone-to-implant contact. Bone ingrowth was evident within the tantalum porous section of the test implants during the early healing.

Intradiscal drug delivery system for the treatment of low back pain.

Possible solution to the long-term control of the low back pain (LBP) would be by using an injectable pain drug carrier that can be delivered locally. The drug can be released in a controlled manner. It is also allowed to inject repeatedly more drugs percutaneously with a minimal invasion. The main objective of this study was to develop such a drug delivery system (DDS) for long-term control of discogenic LBP. The DDS consists of in situ forming hydrogel matrix (Pluronic F127 plus sodium hyaluronate) containing microspheres (MS). The solid MS were used for long-term release of the drugs. Both hydrogel matrix and MS contained a model drug, bupivacaine base (BB). The phase transition (liquid at room temperature, gel at around body temperature) could be manipulated by changing the composition of the hydrogel. In vitro test showed that approximately 3% (w/w) of the BB loaded to MS were released during 42 days, demonstrating a good potential for sustained release of bupivacaine.