Performance of a new implant system and drilling protocol-A minipig intraoral dental implant model study.

AIM: A new implant system encompassing implants with a tri-oval cross-sectional design and a simplified site preparation protocol at low speed and no irrigation has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the new implant system using the minipig intraoral dental implant model. METHODS: Eight Yucatan minipigs were included. Twelve weeks after extractions, four implants per animal were randomly placed and allowed to heal transmucosal for 13 weeks: two Ø3.5 × 10 mm implants with a back-tapered collar and circular cross-section (control) and two Ø3.5 × 11 mm implants with tri-oval collar and cross-section (test). MicroCT and histological analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-two implants were placed; one implant for the control group was lost. Histologically, BIC was higher in the test compared with the control group (74.1% vs. 60.9%, p < .001). At the platform level, inflammation was statistically significantly higher albeit mild in the test compared with the control group. No other significant differences were observed between groups. MicroCT analysis showed that bone-to-implant-contact (BIC) and trabecular thickness were statistically significantly higher for the test than the control group. Test group had significantly higher first BIC distance than controls on lingual sites. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results support the safety and efficacy of the new dental implant system and simplified site preparation protocol; human studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.

Safety and efficacy of a novel, gradually anodized dental implant surface: A study in Yucatan mini pigs.

BACKGROUND: A newly developed dental implant system combining advancements in surface chemistry, topography, nanostructure, color, and surface energy aims to address biological challenges and expand clinical applications. PURPOSE: To assess the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of a novel, gradually anodized dental implant surface/anodized abutment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Yucatan mini pigs (20-24 months old) received two dental implants in each jaw quadrant. Each site was randomized to receive either a commercially available anodized implant/machined abutment or a gradually anodized implant/anodized abutment with a protective layer. Animals were euthanized at 3, 6, and 13 weeks. Microcomputed tomography and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: No significant histological differences in inflammation scores, epithelium length, bone-to-implant contact, or bone density were observed between groups for any healing time. Mucosal height was significantly higher at 3 weeks for controls (Δ = 0.2 mm); no differences were observed at 6 and 13 weeks. No significant differences in radiographic bone volume, bone-to-implant contact, trabecular thickness, and crestal bone levels were observed, irrespective of healing time. Trabecular spacing was borderline significant at 3 weeks in favor of the test implant sites; no differences were observed at 6 weeks. No significant differences were observed between experimental groups at 13 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The new implant system yielded results comparable to a commercially available predicate device.

Safety and efficacy of a novel anodized abutment on soft tissue healing in Yucatan mini-pigs.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that electrochemical anodization of implant surfaces contributes to osseointegration and long-term implant survival. Few studies have investigated its effect on soft tissue healing. PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel abutment surface prepared by electrochemical oxidation compared to commercially available machined titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve 16-19 months-old, Yucatan mini-pigs received three dental implants in each mandibular jaw quadrant. Each side was randomized to receive either an anodized or a machined titanium abutment. Titanium healing caps were placed on both abutments. Animals were euthanized at 6 and 13 weeks. Radiographic and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed histologically between groups in regard to inflammation, epithelium length, mucosal height, bone-to-implant contact, or bone density for any time point. Radiographically, crestal bone level change from baseline to 6 weeks was significantly lower for anodized than machined abutments (P = 0.046); no significant differences were observed at 13 weeks (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The novel anodized abutment showed a comparable effect on soft and hard tissue healing/remodeling and inflammation reaction to standard titanium abutments. Clinical studies should confirm these findings and explore the positive radiographic results observed at the early time point.

Polymicrobial synergy within oral biofilm promotes invasion of dendritic cells and survival of consortia members.

Years of human microbiome research have confirmed that microbes rarely live or function alone, favoring diverse communities. Yet most experimental host-pathogen studies employ single species models of infection. Here, the influence of three-species oral microbial consortium on growth, virulence, invasion and persistence in dendritic cells (DCs) was examined experimentally in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and in patients with periodontitis (PD). Cooperative biofilm formation by Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis was documented in vitro using growth models and scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of growth rates by species-specific 16s rRNA probes revealed distinct, early advantages to consortium growth for S. gordonii and F. nucleatum with P. gingivalis, while P. gingivalis upregulated its short mfa1 fimbriae, leading to increased invasion of DCs. F. nucleatum was only taken up by DCs when in consortium with P. gingivalis. Mature consortium regressed DC maturation upon uptake, as determined by flow cytometry. Analysis of dental plaques of PD and healthy subjects by 16s rRNA confirmed oral colonization with consortium members, but DC hematogenous spread was limited to P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Expression of P. gingivalis mfa1 fimbriae was increased in dental plaques and hematogenous DCs of PD patients. P. gingivalis in the consortium correlated with an adverse clinical response in the gingiva of PD subjects. In conclusion, we have identified polymicrobial synergy in a three-species oral consortium that may have negative consequences for the host, including microbial dissemination and adverse peripheral inflammatory responses.