Boron- and Boric Acid-Treated Titanium Implant Surfaces in Sheep Tibia: A Histologic, Histomorphometric and Mechanical Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the topographical, chemical and osseointegration characteristics of sandblasting and acid-etching (SLA) surfaces and dental implants treated by boron compounds. Titanium (Ti) disks (n = 20) were modified using boron (B) and boric acid (H3BO3) and then compared with the conventional SLA surface via surface topographic characterizations. Dental implants (3.5 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length) with the experimental surfaces (n = 96) were inserted into the tibias of six sheep, which were left to heal for 3 and 7 weeks. Histologic, histomorphometric (bone−implant contact (BIC%)) and mechanical tests (removal torque value (RTV)) were performed. The boron-coated surface (BC group) was smoother (Rz: 4.51 µm ± 0.13) than the SLA (5.86 µm ± 0.80) and the SLA-B (5.75 µm ± 0.64) groups (p = 0.033). After 3 weeks, the highest mean RTV was found in the SLA group (37 N/cm ± 2.87), and the difference compared with the BC group (30 N/cm ± 2.60) was statistically significant (p = 0.004). After 7 weeks, the mean RTV was >80 N/cm in all groups; the highest was measured in the H3BO3-treated (BS) group (89 N/cm ± 1.53) (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant differences were found in the BIC%s during both healing periods between the groups. H3BO3 seems to be a promising medium for dental implant osseointegration.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Mineralized Dentin Graft in the Treatment of Intraosseous Defects: An Experimental In Vivo Study.

Background and Objectives: Dentin grafts have osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties and are considered as an alternative to autogenous graft. This study evaluates the efficacy of autogenous mineralized dentin graft (AMDG) alone or with xenograft and compares it with those of various graft materials used in the treatment of intraosseous bone defects. Materials and Methods: The third incisor teeth of six sheep (2-3 years old) were extracted and AMDG was obtained. Six defects were prepared on each tibia of these six sheep: empty defect (group E); autogenous graft (group A), dentin graft (group D), xenograft (group X), autogenous + xenograft (group A + X) and dentin + xenograft (group D + X). Three sheep in each group were sacrificed in the post-operative 3rd and 6th week and the histologic analyses were performed. Results: The D and D + X groups showed histological features similar to the other groups in the 3rd and 6th weeks. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the rates of new bone formation between the D and D + X groups (p = 1.0) and the other groups at both time intervals (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Similar results observed in this study between groups A, D, X, A + X and D + X demonstrate that AMDG can be successfully used in the treatment of intraosseous bone defects. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of dentin grafts in different types of indications.

The Effect of the Length and Distribution of Implants for Fixed Prosthetic Reconstructions in the Atrophic Posterior Maxilla: A Finite Element Analysis.

In this study, different prosthetic designs that could be applied instead of advanced surgical techniques in atrophic maxilla were evaluated with finite element analysis. Atrophic posterior maxilla was modeled using computer tomography images and four models were prepared as follows: Model 1 (M1), two implants supporting a three-unit distal cantilever prosthesis; Model 2 (M2), two implants supporting a three-unit conventional fixed partial denture; Model 3 (M3), three implants supporting three connected crowns; and Model 4 (M4), two implants supporting two connected crowns. Implants 4 mm in width and 8 mm or 13 mm in length were used. A linear three-dimensional finite element programme was used for analysis. The maximum principle stress (tensile) and minimum principle stress (compressive) were used to display stress in cortical and cancellous bones. The von Mises criteria were used to evaluate the stress on the implants. M1 was found to be the most risky model. The short dental arch case (M4) revealed the lowest stresses among the models but is not recommended when one more implant can be placed because of the bending forces that could occur at the mesial implant. In M2 and M3, the distal implants were placed bicortically between the crestal and sinus cortical plates, causing a fall of the stresses because of the bicortical stability of these implants.