UV-Photofunctionalization of Titanium Promotes Mechanical Anchorage in A Rat Osteoporosis Model.

Effects of UV-photofunctionalization on bone-to-titanium integration under challenging systemic conditions remain unclear. We examined the behavior and response of osteoblasts from sham-operated and ovariectomized (OVX) rats on titanium surfaces with or without UV light pre-treatment and the strength of bone-implant integration. Osteoblasts from OVX rats showed significantly lower alkaline phosphatase, osteogenic gene expression, and mineralization activities than those from sham rats. Bone density variables in the spine were consistently lower in OVX rats. UV-treated titanium was superhydrophilic and the contact angle of ddH2O was ≤5°. Titanium without UV treatment was hydrophobic with a contact angle of ≥80°. Initial attachment to titanium, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and gene expression were significantly increased on UV-treated titanium compared to that on control titanium in osteoblasts from sham and OVX rats. Osteoblastic functions compromised by OVX were elevated to levels equivalent to or higher than those of sham-operated osteoblasts following culture on UV-treated titanium. The strength of in vivo bone-implant integration for UV-treated titanium was 80% higher than that of control titanium in OVX rats and even higher than that of control implants in sham-operated rats. Thus, UV-photofunctionalization effectively enhanced bone-implant integration in OVX rats to overcome post-menopausal osteoporosis-like conditions.

Ultraviolet Light Treatment of Titanium Enhances Attachment, Adhesion, and Retention of Human Oral Epithelial Cells via Decarbonization.

Early establishment of soft-tissue adhesion and seal at the transmucosal and transcutaneous surface of implants is crucial to prevent infection and ensure the long-term stability and function of implants. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that treatment of titanium with ultraviolet (UV) light would enhance its interaction with epithelial cells. X-ray spectroscopy showed that UV treatment significantly reduced the atomic percentage of surface carbon on titanium from 46.1% to 28.6%. Peak fitting analysis revealed that, among the known adventitious carbon contaminants, C-C and C=O groups were significantly reduced after UV treatment, while other groups were increased or unchanged in percentage. UV-treated titanium attracted higher numbers of human epithelial cells than untreated titanium and allowed more rapid cell spread. Hemi-desmosome-related molecules, integrin ß4 and laminin-5, were upregulated at the gene and protein levels in the cells on UV-treated surfaces. The result of the detachment test revealed twice as many cells remaining adherent on UV-treated than untreated titanium. The enhanced cellular affinity of UV-treated titanium was equivalent to laminin-5 coating of titanium. These data indicated that UV treatment of titanium enhanced the attachment, adhesion, and retention of human epithelial cells associated with disproportional removal of adventitious carbon contamination, providing a new strategy to improve soft-tissue integration with implant devices.

Biological and osseointegration capabilities of hierarchically (meso-/micro-/nano-scale) roughened zirconia.

PURPOSE: Zirconia is a potential alternative to titanium for dental and orthopedic implants. Here we report the biological and bone integration capabilities of a new zirconia surface with distinct morphology at the meso-, micro-, and nano-scales. METHODS: Machine-smooth and roughened zirconia disks were prepared from yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP), with rough zirconia created by solid-state laser sculpting. Morphology of the surfaces was analyzed by three-dimensional imaging and profiling. Rat femur-derived bone marrow cells were cultured on zirconia disks. Zirconia implants were placed in rat femurs and the strength of osseointegration was evaluated by biomechanical push-in test. RESULTS: The rough zirconia surface was characterized by meso-scale (50 µm wide, 6-8 µm deep) grooves, micro-scale (1-10 µm wide, 0.1-3 µm deep) valleys, and nano-scale (10-400 nm wide, 10-300 nm high) nodules, whereas the machined surface was flat and uniform. The average roughness (Ra) of rough zirconia was five times greater than that of machined zirconia. The expression of bone-related genes such as collagen I, osteopontin, osteocalcin, and BMP-2 was 7-25 times upregulated in osteoblasts on rough zirconia at the early stage of culture. The number of attached cells and rate of proliferation were similar between machined and rough zirconia. The strength of osseointegration for rough zirconia was twice that of machined zirconia at weeks two and four of healing, with evidence of mineralized tissue persisting around rough zirconia implants as visualized by electron microscopy and elemental analysis. CONCLUSION: This unique meso-/micro-/nano-scale rough zirconia showed a remarkable increase in osseointegration compared to machine-smooth zirconia associated with accelerated differentiation of osteoblasts. Cell attachment and proliferation were not compromised on rough zirconia unlike on rough titanium. This is the first report introducing a rough zirconia surface with distinct hierarchical morphology and providing an effective strategy to improve and develop zirconia implants.

Biological and Physicochemical Characteristics of 2 Different Hydrophilic Surfaces Created by Saline-Storage and Ultraviolet Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of titanium surfaces may affect osseointegration. Ordinary titanium surfaces are hydrophobic. Recently, 2 different methods of storing titanium in saline solution or treating it with ultraviolet (UV) light were introduced to generate surface hydrophilicity. This study compared biological and physicochemical properties of 2 different hydrophilic titanium surfaces created by these methods. MATERIALS: Acid-etched control, saline-stored, and UV-treated titanium surfaces were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The attachment, spreading behaviors, mineralization, and gene expression of osteoblasts were examined. RESULTS: Similar microroughness was found on control and UV-treated surfaces, whereas foreign deposits were observed on saline-stored surfaces. Control and UV-treated surfaces consisted of Ti, O, and C, whereas saline-stored surfaces showed Na and Cl in addition to these 3 elements. Atomic percentage of surface carbon was higher in order of control, saline-stored, and UV-treated surfaces. Osteoblasts cultured on saline-stored surfaces showed higher levels of calcium deposition and collagen I expression than control. Osteoblasts on UV-treated surfaces showed significantly increased levels for all parameters related to cell attachment, cell spreading, the expression of adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins, mineralization, and gene expression compared with control, outperforming saline-stored surfaces for most parameters. CONCLUSION: Despite similar hydrophilicity, saline-stored and UV light-treated surfaces showed substantially different biological effects on osseointegration, associated with different surface chemistry and morphology.

Evaluation of the Effects of Three Plant Species (Myrtus Communis L., Camellia Sinensis L., Zataria Multiflora Boiss.) on the Healing Process of Intraoral Ulcers in Rats.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Use of traditional medicine to relieve human sufferings has a very long history. The effects of these plants in wound curing and subsequently making the best mucosa patch for treatment of oral ulcers is still under investigation. PURPOSE: The main goal of present research work is to assess the efficacy of Myrtus communis L., Camellia sinensis L. and Zataria multiflora Boiss. on oral ulcer recovery process in rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, 60 healthy adult male rats in 5 groups were investigated. A wound with 2 mm diameter was punched into the hard palate of each rat. For topical application, a mucosa patch of materials or blank was packed into the wound. Histological samples were harvested on post injury days 2, 4, 6, and 8. RESULTS: This study showed that there were no significant differences between groups in the reduction of weight. Comparison of clinical wound size showed that group Myrtus communis L had the greatest reduction in wound size on days 4, 6 and 8, which was significantly different from the other groups. The highest thickness of epithelium was observed in groups Myrtus communis L and Camellia sinensis L on days 6 and 8. Group Myrtus communis L showed the highest values on days 6 and 8. This study showed a lower mononuclear cell counts in group Myrtus communis L on days 6 and 8 compared to other groups which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that Myrtus communis L. has significant effects on oral wound healing processes. These favorable results might introduce a new group of material or medicine derived from this plant.

Success rate and strength of osseointegration of immediately loaded UV-photofunctionalized implants in a rat model.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Despite its clinical benefits, the immediate loading protocol might have a higher risk of implant failure than the regular protocol. Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization is a novel surface enhancement technique for dental implants. However, the effect of photofunctionalization under loading conditions is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effect of photofunctionalization on the biomechanical quality and strength of osseointegration under loaded conditions in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Untreated and photofunctionalized, acid-etched titanium implants were placed into rat femurs. The implants were immediately loaded with 0.46 N of constant lateral force. The implant positions were evaluated after 2 weeks of healing. The strength of osseointegration was evaluated by measuring the bone-implant interfacial breakdown point during biomechanical push-in testing. RESULTS: Photofunctionalization induced hydrophilic surfaces on the implants. Osseointegration was successful in 28.6% of untreated implants and 100% of photofunctionalized implants. The strength of osseointegration in successful implants was 2.4 times higher in photofunctionalized implants than in untreated implants. The degree of tilt of untreated implants toward the origin of force was twice that of photofunctionalized implants. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limit of an animal model, photofunctionalization significantly increased the success of osseointegration and prevented implant tilt. Even for the implants that underwent successful osseointegration, the strength of osseointegration was significantly higher for photofunctionalized implants than for untreated implants. Further experiments are warranted to determine the effectiveness of photofunctionalization on immediately loaded dental implants.

Effect of UV Photofunctionalization on Osseointegration in Aged Rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of photofunctionalization on osseointegration under the biologically adverse conditions of aging. MATERIALS: First of all, bone marrow-derived osteoblastic cells from young (8 weeks old) and aged (15 months old) rats were biologically characterized. Then, the osteoblasts from aged rats were seeded on titanium discs with and without photofunctionalization, and assessed for initial cell attachment and osteoblastic functions. Titanium mini-implants, with and without photofunctionalization, were placed in the femur of aged rats, and the strength of osseointegration was measured at week 2 of healing. Periimplant tissue was examined morphologically and chemically using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, respectively. RESULTS: Cells from the aged rats showed substantially reduced biological capabilities compared with those derived from young rats. The cells from aged rats showed significantly increased cell attachment and the expression of osteoblastic function on photofunctionalized titanium than on untreated titanium. In addition, the strength of osseointegration was increased by 40% in aged rats carrying the photofunctionalized implants. Robust bone formation was observed around the photofunctionalized implants with strong elemental peaks of calcium and phosphorus, whereas the tissue around untreated implants showed weaker calcium and phosphate signals than titanium ones. CONCLUSION: These in vivo and in vitro results corroboratively demonstrate that photofunctionalization is effective for enhancing osseointegration in aged rats.

Shear bond strength of orthodontic color-change adhesives with different light-curing times.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of light-curing time on the shear bond strength (SBS) of two orthodontic color-change adhesives (CCAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 extracted premolars were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 12 teeth each. Subsequent to primer application, a metal bracket was bonded to the buccal surface using an orthodontic adhesive. Two CCAs (Greengloo and Transbond Plus) were tested and one conventional light-cured adhesive (Resilience) served as control. For each adhesive, the specimens were light-cured for two different times of 20 and 40 s. All the specimens underwent mechanical testing using a universal testing machine to measure the SBS. Adhesive remnant index (ARI) was used to assess the remnant adhesive material on the tooth surface. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The SBSs of the tested groups were in the range of 14.05-31.25 MPa. Greengloo adhesive showed the highest SBS values when light-cured for 40 s, and Transbond Plus adhesive showed the lowest values when light-cured for 20 s. ARI scores of Transbond Plus adhesive were significantly higher than those of controls, while other differences in ARI values were not significant. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of his study, decreasing the light-curing time from 40 to 20 s decreased the SBS of the tested adhesives; however, this decline in SBS was statistically significant only in Transbond Plus adhesive.

Effect of insertion method and postinsertion time interval prior to force application on the removal torque of orthodontic miniscrews.

PURPOSE: Success of orthodontic miniscrews in providing stable anchorage is dependent on their stability. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of insertion method and postinsertion time interval on the removal torque of miniscrews as an indicator of their stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two miniscrews (Jeil Medical) were inserted into the femoral bones of three male German Shepherd dogs and assigned to nine groups of eight miniscrews. Three insertion methods, including hand-driven, motor-driven with 5.0-Ncm insertion torque, and motor-driven with 20.0-Ncm insertion torque, were tested. Three time intervals of 0, 2, and 6 weeks between miniscrew insertion and removal were tested as well. Removal torque values were measured in newton centimeters by a removal torque tester (IMADA). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test at a .05 level of significance. RESULTS: A miniscrew survival rate of 93% was observed in this study. The highest mean value of removal torque among the three postinsertion intervals (2.4 ± 0.59 Ncm) was obtained immediately after miniscrew insertion with a statistically significant difference from the other two time intervals (P < .001). Insertion were observed in this regard (P = .46). CONCLUSION: The stability of miniscrews was not affected by the insertion method. However, of the postinsertion time intervals, the highest removal torque values were obtained immediately after insertion.

Critical appraisal of reporting randomized clinical trials published in Iranian dental journals during 2003-2010.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the importance of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in the evidence-based approach, the objective of this study was critical appraisal of reporting RCTs in Iranian dental journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After adequate searching, 113 RCT articles published during 2003-2010 were reviewed for quality of reporting with the CONSORT scale. The quality of each paper was assessed on 20. RESULTS: Although statistical analysis was described in 93.8%, acceptable methods for randomization and blinding were found in only 8% and 11.5% of the papers, respectively. Reasons for withdrawal were also given in just 20.4% of the articles. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the quality of reporting RCTs in Iranian dental journals does not meet the recommended standards generally and needs to be improved.

Success of ultrasonic technique in removing fractured rotary nickel-titanium endodontic instruments from root canals and its effect on the required force for root fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Fracture of rotary nickel-titanium files is a real concern among endodontists; it affects the long-term prognosis of treatment. Ultrasound is a favorable technique for removing broken files, although it may result in some complications. The aim of this study was to determine the success rate of ultrasonic technique in removing file fragments and to evaluate its influence on the force required to fracture a tooth root. METHODS: An in vitro study was carried out on 70 extracted maxillary premolars. In the experimental group a #30/.04 taper Hero file was guided into the canal to break and lodge therein. The lodged file was removed by ultrasonic vibration and use of a dental operating microscope. The canals were instrumented with Hero files by using crown-down technique and then obturated. All the teeth were prepared for mechanical testing in Testometric machine to measure the required force for root fracture. The Fisher exact test and independent two-sample t test were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Ultrasonic technique exhibited a success rate of 80% in removing broken files. Success rate in the roots with file fracture before the curve was 11.5 times more than that of file fracture cases beyond the curve. Other factors such as bypass possibility did not affect success rate. The average time required for removing file fragments was 36.3 ± 7.15 minutes, which did not significantly differ in different file locations within the canal. According to mechanical test results, ultrasonic application did not significantly affect the required force for root fracture. The force required to fracture a root did not significantly differ in various file locations. Vertical fracture in the buccolingual direction (split tooth) was the most incident fracture pattern. Procedural errors observed in this study predominantly included transportation, perforation, and craze line. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonic technique was successful in removing 80% of fractured rotary files and did not significantly affect the required force for root fracture.