Electrodeposition of nanostructured bioactive hydroxyapatite-heparin composite coatings on titanium for dental implant applications.

In this paper we describe the one-pot fabrication of hydroxyapatite (HA)-heparin composites by electrodeposition onto Ti substrates and their characterisation in terms of structure, morphology, heparin content and bioactivity. HA coatings are well known and widely applied osteointegration enhancers, but post-implant healing rate in dental applications is still suboptimal: e.g. coagulation control plays a key role and the incorporation of an anticoagulant is considered a highly desirable option. In this study, we have developed an improved, simple and robust growth procedure for single-phase, pure HA-heparin films of thickness 1/3 µm. HA-heparin, forming nanowires, has the ideal morphology for bone mineralisation. Staining assays revealed homogeneous incorporation of sizable amounts of heparin in the composite films. The bioactivities of the HA and HA-heparin coatings on Ti were compared by HeLa cell proliferation/viability tests and found to be enhanced by the presence of the anticoagulant.

Surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation of combination syndrome.

The aim of this report is to analyze the clinical symptoms, ethologic factors, and prosthetic rehabilitation in a case of Combination Syndrome (CS). The treatment of CS can be conventional or surgical, with or without the bone reconstruction of maxilla. The correct prosthetic treatment helps this kind of patients to restore the physiologic occlusion plane to allow a correct masticatory and aesthetic function. Management of this kind of patients can be a challenge for a dental practitioner.

Electrochemical behaviour and surface characterisation of Zr exposed to an SBF solution containing glycine, in view of dental implant applications.

Zr and Ti alloys are extensively used in the biomedical field owing to their optimal mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance. Fully ceramic implants based on zirconia are appealing with respect to the traditional Ti-based metallic ones for several reasons, such as: (i) improved aesthetic impact, (ii) better biocompatibility and (iii) better osteointegration. Nevertheless, fully ceramic implants exhibit serious mechanical and clinical drawbacks, chiefly brittleness and impossibility of post-implant position adjustments. In this paper we propose the novel approach of using a metal-based system, consisting of metallic Zr, for the bulk of the implant and an electrochemically grown zirconia coating, ensuring contact of the ceramic with the biological environment and isolation from the underlying metal. This solution combines the outstanding mechanical properties of the metal in the bulk with the optimal biochemical properties exclusively where they are needed: at the surface. The present paper-focussed on the electrochemical behaviour of the proposed system at the implant-wound and implant-growing bone interface-reports a time-dependent electrochemical corrosion study of zirconia-coated zirconium, performed in the following ways: (i) exposure and measurements in SBF (simulating the inorganic part of human plasma, relevant to wound chemistry), (ii) exposure and measurements in SBF with added glycine (the simplest, ubiquitous amino acid found in proteins), (iii) exposure in SBF with added glycine and measurements in SBF. Electrochemical impedance spectra were measured and interpreted with the equivalent-circuit approach, yielding estimates of the time-variation of the oxide film thickness and resistance were estimated. FT-IR, Surface Raman and VIS reflectance spectroscopies were used to characterise the surface before and after the exposure to SBF solutions. Spectroelectrochemical measurements revealed an higher corrosion resistance of the oxide films formed on Zr in the presence of glycine in the SBF matrix and a smoother electrode surface.

Candida-related denture stomatitis: a pilot study of the efficacy of an amorolfine antifungal varnish.

PURPOSE: Candida albicans is a component of the normal oral microflora, but local and systemic factors can transform this commensal C albicans to a pathogen. The most frequent cause of Candida opportunistic infections (candidiasis) is dentures, especially if poorly fitting or poorly cleaned. Management of oral candidiasis depends on an accurate diagnosis, identification and elimination of predisposing factors, and, often, use of antifungal agents. The aim of this study was to examine fingernail varnish, currently used for onychomycosis therapy, to reduce the fungal colonization in prosthetic biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A varnish containing 5% amorolfine was applied once or twice a week for 6 months in six patients affected by nystatin-resistant denture-related stomatitis. In all six patients, the prostheses had previously been removed at night, and daily antimycotic topical therapy with nystatin had failed to resolve the stomatitis; after 30 days, these patients all showed persistence of candidal stomatitis. RESULTS: After 1 month, five of the six patients were negative for Candida; this situation was unchanged in the following monthly controls. Only in the patient with suspected Sjögren syndrome was oral Candida found 15 days after the last varnish application. None of the patients had any complaints about the medication. CONCLUSION: This varnish containing 5% amorolfine, applied once or twice a week for 6 months, was able to suppress the nystatin-resistant denture-related stomatitis.