Functionalization of a Volume-Stable Collagen Matrix Using Liquid Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Case Report Presenting a New Approach for Root Coverage.

This case report presents a novel approach for root coverage of multiple gingival recessions with a volume-stable collagen matrix functionalized with injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF). A patient with multiple gingival recessions in the anterior maxilla was submitted to root coverage by coronally advanced flap with split-full-split incisions. Blood collection was performed before surgery and i-PRF was obtained after centrifugation (relative centrifugal force (RCF) 400 g, 2700 rpm, 3 minutes). A volume-stable collagen matrix was soaked with i-PRF and applied as a substitute for autogenous connective tissue graft. A mean root coverage of 83% was observed after a 12-month follow-up period, and only slight modifications were detected in a 30-month follow-up consultation. The association of a volume-stable collagen matrix with i-PRF successfully treated multiple gingival recessions with reduced morbidity since a connective tissue collection was avoided.

Polymer coatings based on sulfonated-poly-ether-ether-ketone films for implant dentistry applications.

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is one of the most important biocompatible polymers and its sulfonation has been studied for biomedical applications. The aim of the present study is to produce, to characterize and to assess bioactivity of PEEK coatings with sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) films. Biomedical grade PEEK (Invibio®, Batch: D0602, grade: NI1) was functionalized using sulfuric acid 98%. SPEEK was dissolved into DMSO or into DMF, both at 10% mass/volume. PEEK bars (N = 18) and cylinders (N = 27) were manufactured by compression molding and heating. SPEEK/DMSO and SPEEK/DMF were drop casted at PEEK bars and dip coated at PEEK cylinders (PEEK + SPEEK/DMSO and PEEK + SPEEK/DMF). Characterization was performed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and contact angle measurements. Bioactivity was assessed by immersion of samples at SBF for 1, 7 and 21 days, followed by SEM, energy-dispersive analysis (EDX) and FTIR analysis. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p = 0.05). Characteristic bands of PEEK and SPEEK, were identified through FTIR spectrum analysis, while semicrystallinity was confirmed by XRD. PEEK + SPEEK/DMF showed more evident physicochemical modifications. PEEK + SPEEK/DMSO provided a more regular and hydrophobic surface, observed through SEM and contact angle measurements. SEM/EDX showed that precipitates of calcium were formed at PEEK + SPEEK/DMSO and PEEK + SPEEK/DMF at all experimental times, but materials were not considered bioactive. Interesting surface properties were achieved with SPEEK coatings but the production of SPEEK films at PEEK surface has to be further improved and biologically tested. Schematic diagram showing the methodology applied in this study to prepare PEEK and SPEEK samples, as well as the promising application of the material.

Can degradation products released from dental implants affect peri-implant tissues?

This study aimed to assess the literature available on the effects, on peri-implant tissues, of degradation products released from dental implants as a consequence of therapeutic treatment for peri-implantitis and/or of wear-corrosion of titanium. A literature review of the PubMed medline database was performed up to December 31, 2016. The following search terms were used: "titanium wear and dental implant"; "titanium corrosion and dental implant"; "bio-tribocorrosion"; "peri-implantitis"; "treatment of peri-implantitis"; "titanium particles release and dental implant"; and "titanium ion release and dental implant". The keywords were applied to the database in different combinations without limits of time period or type of work. In addition, the reference lists of relevant articles were searched for further studies. Seventy-nine relevant scientific articles on the topic were retrieved. The results showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines, infiltration of inflammatory response cells and activation of the osteoclasts activity are stimulated in peri-implant tissues in the presence of metal particles and ions. Moreover, degenerative changes were reported in macrophages and neutrophils that phagocytosed titanium microparticles, and mutations occurred in human cells cultured in medium containing titanium-based nanoparticles. Debris released from the degradation of dental implants has cytotoxic and genotoxic potential for peri-implant tissues. Thus, the amount and physicochemical properties of the degradation products determine the magnitude of the detrimental effect on peri-implant tissues.

Inhibition of multi-species oral biofilm by bromide doped bioactive glass.

Bioactive glass is an attractive biomaterial that has shown excellent osteogenic and angiogenic effects for oral bone repairing procedures. However, anti-biofilm potential related to such biomaterial has not been completely validated, mainly against multi-species biofilms involved in early tissue infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-biofilm effect of 58 S bioactive glass embedding calcium bromide compounds at different concentrations. Bioactive glass free or containing 5, or 10 wt % CaBr2 was synthesized by alkali sol-gel method and then characterized by physco-chemical analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, samples were tested by microbiological assays using optical density, real time q-PCR, and SEM. Bioactive glass particles showed accurate chemical composition and an angular shape with a bimodal size distribution ranging from 0.6 to 110 µm. The mean particle size was around 29 µm. Anti-biofilm effect was recorded for 5 wt % CaBr2 -doped bioactive glass against S. mitis, V. parvula, P. gingivais, S. gordoni, A. viscosus, F, nucleatum, P. gingivais. F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis. Such species are involved in the biofilm structure related to infections on hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity. The incorporation of calcium bromide into bioactive glass can be a strategy to enhance the anti-biofilm potential of bioactive glasses for bone healing and infection treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1994-2003, 2017.

In vivo electrical application on titanium implants stimulating bone formation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present in vivo study was to measure the bone implant contact area after electrical stimulation of dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety titanium dental implants (6 mm × 11.5 mm) with a smooth surface were placed in six male Beagle dogs and then the implant-bone interfaces was assessed by histological analyses after 7 and 15 d. The 12-mo-old dogs, with a weight of 15 kg, were randomly divided into two groups based on the duration of bone healing: 7 and 15 d. Also, implants were divided into three groups based on electrical stimulation: group A, 10 µA; group B, 20 µA; and group C, control group. The electrical current was applied by an electrical device coupled to the implant connection. RESULTS: After 7 d of electrical stimulation, no statistical differences in bone-implant interface contact area were observed. However, a significantly higher bone-implant interface contact area was recorded for group B than for groups A and C (p < 0.01) after 15 d. No statistical difference was observed between groups A and C (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The electrical stimulation of dental implants can generate a larger area of bone-implant interface contact as a result of bone formation. Factors such as different electrical current intensity and duration should be studied in further work to clarify the potential of this method.

Anti-biofilm properties of bioactive glasses embedding organic active compounds.

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising materials for bone repair due to their desirable properties such as osteoconductivity, biodegradability, angiogenic potential, and antibacterial activity. Ionic dissolution products from bioactive glasses increase the medium pH inhibiting surrounding bacteria proliferation. The activity of BGs against biofilm formation has been enhanced by incorporating organic antibacterial compounds. The aim of this review was to summarize evidence in literature which assesses the efficacy of antibacterial and anti-biofilm compounds embedded in bioactive glasses to prevent peri-implant infection during bone healing. A PubMed bibliographical research was carried out including articles published in the last 20 years. Most previous studies evaluated antibacterial efficiency in planktonic cultures but did not investigate biofilm inhibition, underestimating biofilm clinical relevance. Multifactorial features such as biocompatibility of embedded compounds, receptor site characteristics, and drug delivery efficiency have been found to influence the bioactive glass capability of acting both as an anti-biofilm agent and as a bone repairing biomaterial. Accordingly, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to select the most promising anti-biofilm agents which should be incorporated into bioactive glasses to counteract biofilm proliferation, without inducing toxic effects on human cells, and with the added functionality of promoting bone regeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 672-679, 2017.

Lactam inhibiting Streptococcus mutans growth on titanium.

The aim of this work was to analyze the activity of novel synthetic lactams on preventing biofilm formation on titanium surfaces. Titanium (Ti6Al4V) samples were exposed to Streptococcus mutans cultures in the presence or absence of a synthetic lactam. After 48h incubation, planktonic growth was determined by spectrophotometry. Biofilm was evaluated by crystal violet staining and colony forming units (CFU·ml(-)(1)), followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the average of adhered viable cells was approximately 1.5×10(2)CFU/ml in the presence of lactam and 4×10(2)CFU/ml in its absence. This novel compound was considerable active in reducing biofilm formation over titanium surfaces, indicating its potential for the development of antimicrobial drugs targeting the inhibition of the initial stages of bacterial biofilms on dental implants abutments.

Human periodontal ligament: a niche of neural crest stem cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The periodontal ligament is a specialized connective tissue, derived from dental follicle and originated from neural crest cells. Recently it has been suggested, based on animal models, that periodontal ligament could be a niche for neural crest stem cells. However, there is still little knowledge on this subject. The identification of neural crest adult stem cells has received much attention based on its potential in tissue regeneration. The objective of the present work was to verify the human periodontal ligament as a niche for neural crest stem cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cells from human periodontal ligament were isolated from 10 teeth of seven individuals (periodontal ligament pool group) and also from four teeth of one individual (periodontal ligament single group), after enzymatic digestion. The cells were cultured in specific inductive medium. Analyses of protein and gene expression were performed through immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques, respectively. RESULTS: Mesodermal phenotypes (adipogeneic, osteogenic and myofibroblastic) were identified after culture in inductive medium. Immunocytochemistry analyses showed the presence of the nestin marker of neural stem cells and also markers of undifferentiated neural crest cells (HNK1, p75). When cultured in inductive medium that allowed neural differentiation, the cells showed markers for beta-tubulin III, neurofilament M, peripherin, microtubule-associated protein 2 and protein zero. The results were similar between the two study groups (the periodontal ligament pool group and the periodontal ligament single group). CONCLUSION: This research provides evidence that human periodontal ligament, in addition to its mesodermal derivatives, produces neural crest-like cells. Such features suggest a recapitulation of their embryonic state. The human periodontal ligament revealed itself as a viable alternative source for possible primitive precursors to be used in stem-cell therapies.

Biological tooth replacement and repair.

Implantology is an ancient art that can be traced back several thousand years. Although modern implants have improved substantially over the last 50 years, the basic principle remains unchanged: replace a missing tooth with an inert non-biological material (metal, ceramic etc.). The rate of technological improvements in implants has reached a plateau and substantial new developments will require major changes to the basic approach. Rapid advances in the development of cell-based therapies in medicine suggest that similar approaches should be considered in dental treatment. The use of cell-based implants that will develop into natural teeth and the employment of cells to restore/repair caries lesions is thus an area of considerable interest and excitement.