In vitro study of surface alterations to polyetheretherketone and titanium and their effect upon human gingival fibroblasts.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Soft-tissue attachment to different surfaces may play a pivotal role in the long-term success of dental implants. However, studies on the issue, especially on newer materials, are sparse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the viability and adhesion of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) on different implant abutment materials with specific surface modifications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty specimens in 6 experimental groups were evaluated: smooth-machined titanium alloy (Ti), laser-modified titanium (TiL), smooth-machined polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (P), laser-modified PEEK (PL), plasma-treated PEEK (PP), laser- and plasma-treated PEEK (PLP). Machined Ti was considered as the control group. Surface roughness (Sa), water contact angle (WCA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were measured. HGF attachment and proliferation were observed at 1, 3, and 7 days after cell seeding. Comparison of the means among the groups was performed with 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc comparison using the Tukey test (α=.05). RESULTS: Sa values of the laser modified groups were significantly higher than those of the nonmodified (smooth-machined) groups (P<.001). WCAs were significantly different among PEEK groups, and plasma-sprayed groups had the lowest WCAs. XPS analysis of both Ti and PEEK groups showed laser treatment did not have any significant effect on the surface composition of the PEEK as the same bonds with similar ratio/fraction were detected in the spectrum of the modified specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed more functionally oriented HGF cells on the laser-grooved surfaces. On the first, third, and seventh day of proliferation, the titanium groups showed no significant differences (P>.05). On the first and third days of proliferation, the plasma sprayed groups (PP, PLP) showed significantly greater proliferation than all experimental groups (P<.001). On the seventh day of proliferation, statistically significant differences were observed between all PEEK groups and between all PEEK groups and the Ti group (P<.001), with the exception of the PL and P groups and the PLP and Ti groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Laser-modified titanium and PEEK surfaces led to guided gingival fibroblast attachment. Plasma treatment of PEEK surfaces increased the wettability of this polymer and improved proliferation of HGF.

Advancements in craniofacial prosthesis fabrication: A narrative review of holistic treatment.

The treatment of craniofacial anomalies has been challenging as a result of technological shortcomings that could not provide a consistent protocol to perfectly restore patient-specific anatomy. In the past, wax-up and impression-based maneuvers were implemented to achieve this clinical end. However, with the advent of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, a rapid and cost-effective workflow in prosthetic rehabilitation has taken the place of the outdated procedures. Because the use of implants is so profound in different facets of restorative dentistry, their placement for craniofacial prosthesis retention has also been widely popular and advantageous in a variety of clinical settings. This review aims to effectively describe the well-rounded and interdisciplinary practice of craniofacial prosthesis fabrication and retention by outlining fabrication, osseointegrated implant placement for prosthesis retention, a myriad of clinical examples in the craniofacial complex, and a glimpse of the future of bioengineering principles to restore bioactivity and physiology to the previously defected tissue.

A systematic review of survival of single implants as presented in longitudinal studies with a follow-up of at least 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Placement of single implants is one of the most common applications for implant treatment. Millions of patients have been treated worldwide with osseointegrated implants and many of these patients are treated at a young age with a long expected remaining lifetime. Therefore longterm evidence for such treatment is important. AIM: To report patient treatment, implant and implant-supported single crown survival over at least a 10-year period of follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After reviewing long-term publications, included by Jung et al (2012), a complementary PubMed search was performed using the same search strategy for the period September 2011 to November 2014. Data on implant and single implant crown treatment survival were compiled from included studies. RESULTS: Four new publications were identified from the 731 new titles. They were added to an earlier list of five manuscripts by Jung et al (2012) , which were already included. Accordingly, nine publications formed the database of available long-term evaluations. The database consisted of 421 patients altogether, provided with 527 implants and 522 single crowns. From the 367 patients that were followed-up for at least 10 years (87%), altogether 502 implants were still in function at the completion of the studies (95.3%), supporting 432 original and 33 remade single implant crowns. Based on patient level and implant level data, implant survival reached 93.8% and 95.0%, respectively. The corresponding survival rate for original crown restorations was 89.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Single implant treatment is a predicable treatment over a 10-year period of time, with no indication of obvious changes in implant failure rate between 5 and 10 years. However, replacement of new single crowns must be considered during the follow-up as part of regular maintenance. Compared to the number of treated patients worldwide, the available numbers with a follow-up of 10 years was low.