Dynamic analyses of a soft tissue-implant interface: Biological responses to immediate versus delayed dental implants.

AIM: To qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the formation and maturation of peri-implant soft tissues around 'immediate' and 'delayed' implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Miniaturized titanium implants were placed in either maxillary first molar (mxM1) fresh extraction sockets or healed mxM1 sites in mice. Peri-implant soft tissues were evaluated at multiple timepoints to assess the molecular mechanisms of attachment and the efficacy of the soft tissue as a barrier. A healthy junctional epithelium (JE) served as positive control. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the rate of soft-tissue integration of immediate versus delayed implants; however, overall, mucosal integration took at least twice as long as osseointegration in this model. Qualitative assessment of Vimentin expression over the time course of soft-tissue integration indicated an initially disorganized peri-implant connective tissue envelope that gradually matured with time. Quantitative analyses showed significantly less total collagen in peri-implant connective tissues compared to connective tissue around teeth around implants. Quantitative analyses also showed a gradual increase in expression of hemidesmosomal attachment proteins in the peri-implant epithelium (PIE), which was accompanied by a significant inflammatory marker reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Within the timeframe examined, quantitative analyses showed that connective tissue maturation never reached that observed around teeth. Hemidesmosomal attachment protein expression levels were also significantly reduced compared to those in an intact JE, although quantitative analyses indicated that macrophage density in the peri-implant environment was reduced over time, suggesting an improvement in PIE barrier functions. Perhaps most unexpectedly, maturation of the peri-implant soft tissues was a significantly slower process than osseointegration.

Flapless early implant placement into the uncalcified provisional matrix-Does it lead to osseointegration of the implant? A preclinical study.

AIM: To test whether early implant placement into the extraction socket containing an uncalcified provisional matrix leads to successful osseointegration and stable marginal bone levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six mongrel dogs, the mandibular molars were extracted. Three weeks later, early implant placement was performed according to three experimental protocols: (i) flapless implant placement with preservation of the provisional matrix; (ii) flap elevation, socket debridement and implant placement; and (iii) flap elevation, socket debridement, implant placement and guided bone regeneration (GBR). One untreated extraction socket served as a control group. Data analyses were based on histologic slides 3 months after implant placement. RESULTS: There were no differences in bone-to-implant contact between the three experimental groups (66.97%, 58.89% and 60.89%, respectively) (inter-group comparison p = .42). Marginal bone levels, first bone-to-implant contact as well as the thickness of the connective tissue did not reveal any significant differences between the groups (p = .85, .60 and .65, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Flapless early implant placement into posterior extraction sockets was as effective as an open flap approach in conjunction with GBR. Mineralization of the socket seems to occur irrespective of the presence of dental implants or biomaterials.

Cortical Block Grafting Successfully Augments Alveolar Cleft Sites for Dental Implant Placement.

BACKGROUND: Supplemental bone grafting is regularly required before dental implant placement in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). PURPOSE: The study purpose was to measure and compare implant osseointegration and changes in graft dimensions following lateral incisor onlay cortical bone grafting in CLP and non-CLP patients. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: Retrospective cohort study composed of patients who presented to Boston Children's Hospital and underwent autogenous onlay cortical block bone grafting at lateral incisor sites from 2015 through 2023. Patients were excluded if the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) quality was insufficient for accurate measurements. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The predictor variable was CLP status coded as CLP or non-CLP. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The primary outcome variable was successful implant osseointegration confirmed by a torque of 35 N/cm or more after 3 months of implant healing. Secondary outcomes were change in bone width between preoperative and postoperative CBCT scans at lateral incisor sites and the need for additional bone augmentation prior to or during implant placement. COVARIATES: Covariates were age, sex, cleft location, and time from bone graft to postoperative CBCT and implant placement. ANALYSES: Data analyses were performed using t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Pearson's correlation. P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 22 subjects (16 with CLP) were evaluated. The mean age at the time of graft was 19.3 ± 2.4 years with 52.6% males. Implants were osseointegrated at 20 of 22 lateral incisor sites (1 CLP failure, 1 non-CLP failure). There was significant change in bone width after grafting for patients with CLP (P < .001). Patients with CLP experienced a 3.32 (± 1.80) mm and 2.99 (± 1.61) mm increase in bone width at 2 different levels. Patients with CLP achieved greater boney changes near the alveolar crest than noncleft patients (P = .008) but the change was not significantly different more apically (P = .86). One subject with CLP required additional grafting during implant placement. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Cortical block onlay bone grafting is a predictable technique to augment lateral incisor sites in patients with CLP for placement of a dental implant.

Nano-superhydrophilic and bioactive surface in poor bone environment. Part 1: transition from primary to secondary stability. A controlled clinical trial : Bioactive implant surfaces in poor density bone.

OBJECTIVES: Bioactive surfaces were designed to increase the interaction between the surface and the cells. This may speed up the biological stability and loading protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 patients with D3-D4 bone density were recruited and allocated into two groups. 30 bioactive (test group) and 30 traditional (control group) surfaced implants were placed. Insertion torque value (Ncm), insertion torque curve integral (cumulative torque, Ncm), torque density (Ncm/sec), implant stability quotient (ISQ) measured at three timepoints (baseline (T0), 30 (T30) and 45 (T45) days after surgery), and marginal bone loss (MBL) at 6 months of loading were assessed. RESULTS: The mean ISQ and standard deviation at T0, T30, T45 were respectively 74.57 ± 7.85, 74.78 ± 7.31, 74.97 ± 6.34 in test group, and 77.12 ± 5.83, 73.33 ± 6.13, 73.44 ± 7.89 in control group, respectively. Data analysis showed significant differences between groups in ΔISQ at T0-T30 (p = 0.005) and T30-T45 (p = 0.012). Control group showed a significant decrease in ISQ at T30 (p = 0.01) and T45 (p = 0.03) compared to baseline, while no significant change was observed in test group. Due to the stability of the ISQ value ≥ 70, 26 test group and 23 control group implants were functionally loaded after 45 days. Conversely, due to the ISQ < 70 at T45, four test group implants and one control group implant were loaded after 90 days, and 6 control group implants were loaded after 180 days. Neither insertion torque nor ISQ at baseline were correlated with bone density (in Hounsfield units). There was no significant correlation between cumulative torque and ISQ at baseline. There was a significant positive slope in the correlation between torque density and ISQ at baseline, more accentuated in D3 than D4. This correlation remained significant for the test group in D3 bone at day 30 and 45 (p < 0.01 in both time frames), but not in D4 bone, and it was not significant in CG. CONCLUSIONS: The bioactive surface showed better behavior in terms of implant stability in D3-D4 bone quality in the early stages of bone healing. Clinical relevance This study demonstrated that the transition from primary to secondary stability is improved using bioactive surface, especially in cases of poor bone environment (D3/D4 bone).

Thermal implant removal in a pig jaw: a proof of concept study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether thermal implant removal of osseointegrated implants is possible using a diode laser with an specific temperature-time interval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, tooth extraction of the first three premolars was performed in the maxilla and mandible on both sides of 10 pig. After 3 months, implants were inserted into the upper and lower jaws of 10 pigs. After 3 more months, osseointegrated implants were heated with a laser device to a temperature of 50 °C for 1 min. After 14 days, the implant stability quotient (ISQ), torque-out values, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio were assessed using resonance frequency analysis. RESULTS: ISQ values showed no significant differences within each group or between the control and test groups. Furthermore, torque-out and BIC value measurements presented no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: At 50°C, changes in the BIC values were noticeably smaller; however, these differences were not significant. Future studies should evaluate the same procedures at either a higher temperature or longer intervals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With only 50 °C for 1 min, a dental implant will not de-integrate predictably.

Buccal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Source of Osseointegration of Titanium Implants.

We studied the interaction of human buccal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts differentiated from them with the surface of titanium samples. MSCs were isolated by enzymatic method from buccal fat pads. The obtained cell culture was presented by MSCs, which was confirmed by flow cytometry and differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Culturing of buccal MSCs on titanium samples was accompanied by an increase in the number of cells for 15 days and the formation of a developed network of F-actin fibers in the cells. The viability of buccal MSCs decreased by 8 days, but was restored by 15 days. Culturing of osteoblasts obtained as a result of buccal MSC differentiation on the surface of titanium samples was accompanied by a decrease in their viability and proliferation. Thus, MSCs from buccal fat pads can be used to coat implants to improve osseointegration during bone reconstruction in craniofacial surgery and dentistry. To improve the integration of osteoblasts, modification of the surface of titanium samples is required.

Antibiotic prophylaxis dysregulates dental implant placement surgery-induced osteoimmune wound healing and attenuates the alveolar bone-implant interface in mice.

AIM: Antimicrobial-induced shifts in commensal oral microbiota can dysregulate helper T-cell oral immunity to affect osteoclast-osteoblast actions in alveolar bone. Antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly performed with dental implant placement surgery to prevent post-surgical complications. However, antibiotic prophylaxis effects on osteoimmune processes supporting dental implant osseointegration are unknown. The aim of the study was to discern the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on dental implant placement surgery-induced osteoimmune wound healing and osseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed SHAM or dental implant placement surgery in mice. Groups were administered prophylactic antibiotics (amoxicillin or clindamycin) or vehicle. Gingival bacteriome was assessed via 16S sequencing. Helper T-cell oral immunity was evaluated by flow cytometry. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts were assessed via histomorphometry. Implant osseointegration was evaluated by micro-computed tomography. RESULTS: Dental implant placement surgery up-regulated TH 1, TH 2 and TREG cells in cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), which infers helper T-cell oral immunity contributes to dental implant placement osseous wound healing. Prophylactic antibiotics with dental implant placement surgery caused a bacterial dysbiosis, suppressed TH 1, TH 2 and TREG cells in CLNs, reduced osteoclasts and osteoblasts lining peri-implant alveolar bone, and attenuated the alveolar bone-implant interface. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis dysregulates dental implant placement surgery-induced osteoimmune wound healing and attenuates the alveolar bone-implant interface in mice.

An Experimental Anodized and Low-Pressure Oxygen Plasma-Treated Titanium Dental Implant Surface-Preliminary Report.

Chemical composition and physical parameters of the implant surface, such as roughness, regulate the cellular response leading to implant bone osseointegration. Possible implant surface modifications include anodization or the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment process that produces a thick and dense oxide coating superior to normal anodic oxidation. Experimental modifications with Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) titanium and titanium alloy Ti6Al4V plates and PEO additionally treated with low-pressure oxygen plasma (PEO-S) were used in this study to evaluate their physical and chemical properties. Cytotoxicity of experimental titanium samples as well as cell adhesion to their surface were assessed using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) or L929 cell line. Moreover, the surface roughness, fractal dimension analysis, and texture analysis were calculated. Samples after surface treatment have substantially improved properties compared to the reference SLA (sandblasted and acid-etched) surface. The surface roughness (Sa) was 0.59-2.38 µm, and none of the tested surfaces had cytotoxic effect on NHDF and L929 cell lines. A greater cell growth of NHDF was observed on the tested PEO and PEO-S samples compared to reference SLA sample titanium.

Synergistic Enhancement of Protein Recruitment and Retention via Implant Surface Microtopography and Superhydrophilicity in a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model.

The exact mechanisms by which implant surface properties govern osseointegration are incompletely understood. To gain insights into this process, we examined alterations in protein and blood recruitment around screw implants with different surface topographies and wettability using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Compared with a smooth surface, a microrough implant surface reduced protein infiltration from the outer zone to the implant thread and interface zones by over two-fold. However, the microrough implant surface slowed blood flow in the interface zone by four-fold. As a result, compared with the smooth surface, the microrough surface doubled the protein recruitment/retention index, defined as the mass of proteins present in the area per unit time. Converting implant surfaces from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic increased the mass of protein infiltration 2-3 times and slowed down blood flow by up to two-fold in the implant vicinity for both smooth and microrough surfaces. The protein recruitment/retention index was highest at the implant interface when the implant surface was superhydrophilic and microrough. Thus, this study demonstrates distinct control of the mass and speed of protein and blood flow through implant surface topography, wettability, and their combination, significantly altering the efficiency of protein recruitment. Although microrough surfaces showed both positive and negative impacts on protein recruitment over smooth surfaces, superhydrophilicity was consistently positive regardless of surface topography.

The Influence of Storage in Saline or Irradiation by Ultraviolet on Surface Hydrophilicity of Implant and Osseointegration: An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

Storage in aqueous solution or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can retain or regain the hydrophilicity of titanium implant surface. In this study, 3 types of commercial titanium implants were used: ZBL (ZDI Bone Level), CEL (C-tech Esthetic Line), and modSLA (Straumann SLActive). ZBL and CEL implants were treated with UV irradiation for 4 hours. Surface characterization of the 4 groups (ZBL, ZBL-UV, CEL-UV, and modSLA) was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. The in vivo bone response was evaluated by removal torque (RTQ) tests and histomorphometric analysis at 3, 6, and 12 weeks postimplantation. A total of 144 implants and 36 rabbits were used for experiments according to a previously established randomization sequence. The ZBL-UV, CEL-UV, and modSLA groups were hydrophilic, and nanostructures were observed on the modSLA implant surface. ModSLA achieved better RTQ value than ZBL at 12 weeks (P < .05). For histomorphometric analysis, ZBL-UV and CEL-UV implants showed higher bone area values in the cancellous bone zone at 6 weeks than did modSLA and ZBL implants (P < .05). In the cortical bone zone, all groups showed comparable bone-to-implant contact at all healing time points (P > .05). Both storage in saline and UV irradiation could retain or provoke hydrophilic surfaces and improve osseointegration. Compared with storage in saline, UV irradiation displayed slight advantages in promoting new bone formation in cancellous bone zone at an early stage.

Comparison of Implant Stability Between Conventional Drilling and Piezosurgical Implant Bed Preparation Techniques.

This prospective study compared the stability of implants placed using piezoelectric surgery (piezo group) and those placed using conventional rotary drills (bur group) during the first 90 days postoperatively. Teeth in the posterior maxillary regions of 21 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 90 postoperatively. Twenty-eight of 29 implants were successfully integrated at day 90 (1 implant in the test group was lost). Although both groups showed a significant overall increase in implant stability with time (P < .0001) and a high final mean ISQ value, no statistically significant difference in stability was seen between the groups. The bur group showed greater variance in ISQ values than the piezo group did (P < .001) at all time points. Long-term studies with larger samples are needed to investigate the bone response to the use of piezoelectric surgery for implant preparation.

Management of Posterior Mandibular Bone Cavitation for Dental Implant Placement: A Case Series of 5-24 Years of Follow-Up.

Focal osteo-cavitation in the posterior mandible is a condition that clinicians do not know well. Inadvertent implant placement in such areas may result in nerve damage due to abrupt drill penetration and implant displacement in the medullary space. In the present case series, focal osteo-cavitation was managed with the following procedures: (1) undersized drilling, (2) gentle trabecular curettage, (3) bone substitute material grafting in the cavity, and (4) long healing period for osseointegration. In all cases, a sudden loss of drilling pressure immediately after passing through the thin cortical layer revealed focal osteo-cavitation. Following undersized drilling and gentle trabecular curettage, the bone substitute material was packed into the cavity with care not to press the inferior alveolar canal. Implant placement was subsequently performed. Despite a lack of primary implant stability in 3 of 4 cases, all implants were successfully osseointegrated after 6-9 months. Over 5-24 years, all implants functioned well.

Effect of Novel Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Stimulation on Accelerated Implant Osteointegration in Canine.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) application on dental implant accelerated osseointegration in the two-stage implant protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 implants were placed in 10 mature mongrel dogs, two implants for each dog replacing the lower 3rd premolars bilaterally. After 3 months of extraction, implants were placed. After 24 hours of implantation, the right sides received LIPU for 20 mins/day, continuously for 20 days. The left sides didn't receive LIPU (control). Standardized radiographs were taken before LIPU and after 10 and 20 days for both sides. After 20 days of LIPU application, second-stage surgery was performed and provisional crowns were placed on each implant. Implants were subjected to functional occlusal loading for 4 weeks. Standardized radiographs were taken after 2 and 4 weeks of loading and analyzed to assess the peri-implant bone density changes. All data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: All tissues appeared clinically normal, with the absence of inflammation and peri-implant radiolucency. The survival rate was 100%. The LIPU group showed a statistically significantly higher percentage increase in mean bone density after 10 LIPU sessions, 20 LIPU sessions, and 2 and 4 weeks of loading, than a control group. CONCLUSION: The LIPU stimulation radiographically increased the bone density around implant area and accelerated osseointegration in the two-stage implant protocol. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation could be beneficial in accelerating osseointegration and thus shortening the waiting period for final prosthetic delivery.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Bone Grafting in Alveolar Ridge Augmentation Using the Two-Stage Splitting Technique.

Stimulation of neoosteogenesis is the main mechanism of osseointegration during installation of dental implants, bone tissue recession, and alveolar process augmentation in adentia. In experiments on miniature pigs, we used the technology of two-stage splitting of the ridge of the alveolar process of the mandible in combination with a xenograft that was placed between the fragments of the split bone plate. The morphology of the reparative process and the distribution of osteogenic differentiation markers in the compact and trabecular bone of the alveolar crest were studied. Signs of reparative osteogenesis were observed in the bone regenerate that had a lamellar structure, formed osteons, and foci of woven tissue. It was found that the xenograft was replaced by newly formed trabecular bone tissue. These sites were characterized by increased expression of osteocalcin and CD44. Augmentation technology through two-stage splitting provides trophic relationship of osteoprogenitor cells and is an effective method of osteogenesis stimulation in the alveolar process.

The role of foreign body response in peri-implantitis: What is the evidence?

Historically, there has been broad consensus that osseointegration represents a homeostasis between a titanium dental implant and the surrounding bone, and that the crestal bone loss characteristic of peri-implantitis is a plaque-induced inflammatory process. However, this notion has been challenged over the past decade by proponents of a theory that considers osseointegration an inflammatory process characterized by a foreign body reaction and peri-implant bone loss as an exacerbation of this inflammatory response. A key difference in these two schools of thought is the perception of the relative importance of dental plaque in the pathogenesis of crestal bone loss around implants, with obvious implications for treatment. This review investigates the evidence for a persistent foreign body reaction at osseointegrated dental implants and its possible role in crestal bone loss characteristic of peri-implantitis. Further, the role of implant-related material release within the surrounding tissue, particularly titanium particles and corrosion by-products, in the establishment and progression in peri-implantitis is explored. While it is acknowledged that these issues require further investigation, the available evidence suggests that osseointegration is a state of homeostasis between the titanium implant and surrounding tissues, with little evidence that a persistent foreign body reaction is responsible for peri-implant bone loss after osseointegration is established. Further, there is a lack of evidence for a unidirectional causative role of corrosion by-products and titanium particles as possible non-plaque related factors in the etiology of peri-implantitis.

Effects of masticatory loading on bone remodeling around teeth versus implants: Insights from a preclinical model.

OBJECTIVES: Teeth connect to bone via a periodontal ligament, whereas implants connect to bone directly. Consequently, masticatory loads are distributed differently to periodontal versus peri-implant bone. Our objective was to determine how masticatory loading of an implant versus a tooth affected peri-implant versus periodontal bone remodeling. Our hypothesis was that strains produced by functional loading of an implant would be elevated compared with the strains around teeth, and that this would stimulate a greater degree of bone turnover around implants versus in periodontal bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty skeletally mature mice were divided into two groups. In the implant group, maxillary first molars (mxM1) were extracted, and after socket healing, titanium alloy implants were positioned subocclusally. After osseointegration, implants were exposed, resin crowns were placed, and masticatory loading was initiated. In the control group, the dentition was left intact. Responses of peri-implant and periodontal bone were measured using micro-CT, histology, bone remodeling assays, and quantitative histomorphometry while bone strains were estimated using finite element (FE) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: When a submerged osseointegrated implant is exposed to masticatory forces, peri-implant strains are elevated, and peri-implant bone undergoes significant remodeling that culminates in new bone accrual. The accumulation of new bone functions to reduce both peri-implant strains and bone remodeling activities, equivalent to those observed around the intact dentition.

Ultrasonic Evaluation of the Bone-Implant Interface.

While implant surgical interventions are now routinely performed, failures still occur and may have dramatic consequences. The clinical outcome depends on the evolution of the biomechanical properties of the bone-implant interface (BII). This chapter reviews studies investigating the use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) techniques for the characterization of the BII.First, studies on controlled configurations evidenced the influence of healing processes and of the loading conditions on the ultrasonic response of the BII. The gap of acoustical properties at the BII increases (i) during healing and (ii) when stress at the BII increases, therefore inducing a decrease of the reflection coefficient at the BII.Second, an acoustical model of the BII is proposed to better understand the parameters influencing the interaction between ultrasound and the BII. The reflection coefficient is shown to decrease when (i) the BII is better osseointegrated, (ii) the implant roughness decreases, (iii) the frequency of QUS decreases and (iv) the bone mass density increases.Finally, a 10 MHz device aiming at assessing dental implant stability was validated in vitro, in silico and in vivo. A comparison between QUS and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) techniques showed a better sensitivity of QUS to changes of the parameters related to the implant stability.

Review of PEEK implants and biomechanical and immunological responses to a zirconium phosphate nano-coated PEEK, a blasted PEEK, and a turned titanium implant surface.

PURPOSE: To investigate the biomechanical and immunological reactions to coated and non-coated blasted PEEK implants in vivo after 12 weeks and review the associated literature. METHODS: Two osteotomy sites were performed in each proximal tibia of 10 lop-eared rabbits (n= 4 per rabbit). Each rabbit received a randomly placed (1) blasted zirconium phosphate nano-coated PEEK- (nano-ZrP), (2) blasted PEEK- (PEEK) and (3) titanium implant (Ti) and an empty sham site. At 12 weeks, removal torque of all implants and biological investigation with qPCR was performed. The implant surfaces were analyzed prior to insertion with interferometry, SEM and XPS. RESULTS: The interferometry analysis showed that there was no difference in roughness for the uncoated PEEK compared to the ZrP coated PEEK implants. The titanium implants were considerably smoother (Sa= 0.23 µm) than the uncoated Sa= 1.11 µm) and ZrP coated PEEK implants (Sa= 1.12 µm). SEM analysis on the PEEK implants corroborated the interferometry results; no difference in structure between the uncoated vs. the ZrP coated PEEK was visible on the micrometer level. At higher magnifications, the ZrP coating was visible in the SEM as a thin, porous network. All tested implants displayed osseointegration with the highest RTQ for nano-ZrP (18.4 Ncm) followed by PEEK (14.5 Ncm) and Ti (11.5 Ncm). All implants activated the immune system, with elevated macrophage and M2 macrophage qPCR markers at 12 weeks compared to the sham site. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Nano-ZrP coating improves osseointegration of blasted PEEK implants at 12 weeks of follow-up. Osseointegration of titanium, PEEK and nano-ZrP PEEK is not a normal bone healing process, but rather a shield-off mechanism that appears to be regulated by the innate immune system.

Distribution of mature and newly regenerated nerve fibres after tooth extraction and dental implant placement: An immunohistological study.

BACKGROUND: The time-dependent peri-implant innervation needs to be elucidated in detail. OBJECTIVES: To examine the distribution of mature and newly regenerated nerves around the implant with immunofluorescence during 28-day follow-up after implantation. METHODS: 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into non-operated (n = 5), extraction (n = 5) and implant (n = 25) groups. For rats in the extraction and implant groups, three right maxillary molars were extracted. One month later, a titanium implant was placed into the healed alveolar ridge in the implant group. The implant group was further divided into 5 subgroups according to day 1, 3, 7, 14 or 28 after implantation, on which day serial histological sections were prepared for immunohistochemistry. On day 28, the serial sections were also prepared in the non-operated and extraction groups. Soluble protein-100 and growth-associated protein-43 were used to immunolabel mature and newly regenerated nerve fibres, respectively. RESULTS: In the peri-implant soft tissues, the number of both mature and newly regenerated nerves showed an increasing trend in 28 days. In the bone tissues, the number of mature or newly regenerated nerves in both areas at less than 100 µm and 100-200 µm from the implant surface on day 28 grew significantly compared with that on day 1 or 3. In addition, the closest distance from mature nerves to the implant surface decreased evidently. CONCLUSION: The number of peri-implant nerves increased in 28 days since implantation. The innervation in the soft tissue took place faster than in the bone tissue. The mature nerves in the bone tissue approached the implant gradually.

Micro/nano topography of selective laser melting titanium inhibits osteoclastogenesis via mediation of macrophage polarization.

Selective laser melting (SLM) titanium (Ti) implants have shown good prospects for personalized clinical application, but further research is necessary to develop stabilized long-term properties. Since surface modification has been proven bioactive for osseointegration, conventional Ti surface treatment technologies, including sandblasting/acid-etching (SLA) and sandblasting/alkali-heating (SAH), were applied to construct micro and micro/nano surfaces. The SAH group with netlike nano-structure topography exhibited appropriate surface roughness and high hydrophilicity, and as expected, the osseointegration capacities in vivo of the three groups were in order of SAH > SLA > SLM. Besides, both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that the SLA- and SAH-treated SLM Ti implants significantly inhibited osteoclast activity of peri-implants. Considering the close associations between osteoclasts and macrophages, the effects of Ti surface topography on macrophage polarization were detected. The results showed that the SLA- and SAH-treated SLM Ti implants, especially the latter, had the capacity to promote macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype. Moreover, the cell culture supernatants of M2 macrophages and RAW264.7 cells seeded on SLA- and SAH-treated SLM Ti surfaces had an adverse effect on osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, this study demonstrated that micro/nano topographies of SLM Ti implants were effective for osseointegration promotion, and their inhibition of osteoclastogenesis might be attributed to macrophage polarization. Our findings shed some light on clinical application of SLM Ti implants and also prove a specific association between macrophage polarization and osteoclastogenesis.