Peri-implant bone mechanobiology. Review of the literature

ABSTRACT

The mechanical load applied during bone regeneration in implant treatments influences the early formation ofperi-implant bone tissue through the activation of different pathways. The aim of this review was to determine thecurrently available scientific evidence in this field.Material and Mectronic search in medical databases (Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane Lierimentalstudies in animal models published from 2003 to 2009.Results: There is scientific evidence that the immediate application of an axial load in implantology stimulatesbone formation, as measured by various histomorphometric parameters. Different physiological mechanisms (e.g.,production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2) participate in this effect, although their action has not been fullyelucidated.Conclusion: The precise role of mechanical loading in the osseointegration process remains unknown. Furtherstudies are required to demonstrate the biological mechanisms involved and the load range producing the mosteffective response and to develop devices for obtaining predictable clinical outcomes (AU)