Effects of UV-photofunctionalization on bone-to-titanium integration under challenging systemic conditions remain unclear. We examined the behavior and response of osteoblasts from sham-operated and ovariectomized (OVX) rats on titanium surfaces with or without UV light pre-treatment and the strength of bone-implant integration. Osteoblasts from OVX rats showed significantly lower alkaline phosphatase, osteogenic gene expression, and mineralization activities than those from sham rats. Bone density variables in the spine were consistently lower in OVX rats. UV-treated titanium was superhydrophilic and the contact angle of ddH₂O was ≤5°. Titanium without UV treatment was hydrophobic with a contact angle of ≥80°. Initial attachment to titanium, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and gene expression were significantly increased on UV-treated titanium compared to that on control titanium in osteoblasts from sham and OVX rats. Osteoblastic functions compromised by OVX were elevated to levels equivalent to or higher than those of sham-operated osteoblasts following culture on UV-treated titanium. The strength of in vivo bone-implant integration for UV-treated titanium was 80% higher than that of control titanium in OVX rats and even higher than that of control implants in sham-operated rats. Thus, UV-photofunctionalization effectively enhanced bone-implant integration in OVX rats to overcome post-menopausal osteoporosis-like conditions.

Early establishment of soft-tissue adhesion and seal at the transmucosal and transcutaneous surface of implants is crucial to prevent infection and ensure the long-term stability and function of implants. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that treatment of titanium with ultraviolet (UV) light would enhance its interaction with epithelial cells. X-ray spectroscopy showed that UV treatment significantly reduced the atomic percentage of surface carbon on titanium from 46.1% to 28.6%. Peak fitting analysis revealed that, among the known adventitious carbon contaminants, C–C and C=O groups were significantly reduced after UV treatment, while other groups were increased or unchanged in percentage. UV-treated titanium attracted higher numbers of human epithelial cells than untreated titanium and allowed more rapid cell spread. Hemi-desmosome-related molecules, integrin β4 and laminin-5, were upregulated at the gene and protein levels in the cells on UV-treated surfaces. The result of the detachment test revealed twice as many cells remaining adherent on UV-treated than untreated titanium. The enhanced cellular affinity of UV-treated titanium was equivalent to laminin-5 coating of titanium. These data indicated that UV treatment of titanium enhanced the attachment, adhesion, and retention of human epithelial cells associated with disproportional removal of adventitious carbon contamination, providing a new strategy to improve soft-tissue integration with implant devices.

Considering the importance of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in the evidence-based approach, the objective of this study was critical appraisal of reporting RCTs in Iranian dental journals. After adequate searching, 113 RCT articles published during 2003–2010 were reviewed for quality of reporting with the CONSORT scale. The quality of each paper was assessed on 20. Although statistical analysis was described in 93.8%, acceptable methods for randomization and blinding were found in only 8% and 11.5% of the papers, respectively. Reasons for withdrawal were also given in just 20.4% of the articles. This study revealed that the quality of reporting RCTs in Iranian dental journals does not meet the recommended standards generally and needs to be improved.

Objective: Periodontal splints offer a noninvasive and inexpensive treatment modality to stabilize mobile teeth. This study evaluated periodontal splints to examine their longevity and long‐term stability. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who received splints on mandibular or maxillary anterior teeth. Data collected included patient age, gender, indication for splint placement, date of placement, teeth involved, percent bone loss, presence of a pontic, and type of reinforcement. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics. Differences in bone loss were analyzed using t ‐tests. Results: A total of 154 cases were included in the study. The average patient age was 57.2 and ranged from 17 to 93, with nearly equal rates of males and females (54% vs. 46%). Procedures were performed from 2003 until 2024. The majority were mandibular splints with (20%) or without a pontic (47%). Maxillary splints accounted for 33% of the sample (12% with pontic and 21% without). The nature of the splint was periodontal for 68% ( n = 105) of the cases. Trauma accounted for 18% and included incidents with oral piercings and avulsion. Periodontal cases were assessed for bone loss where data were available. The average loss was 76.5% and ranged from 30%to 100%. Bone loss was not significantly associated with the location of the splint ( p ‐value = 0.3690), patient gender ( p ‐value = 0.3391), or use of splint reinforcement ( p ‐value = 0.3548). Only 40% of splints were reinforced. More than half of the cases had a longevity of 10 or more years ( n = 82, 55%). Conclusion: Splinting can provide long‐term support to mobile teeth and aid in maintaining periodontally compromised teeth. In replacing single anterior teeth, a splint with a pontic can provide a stable provisional prosthesis as an alternative to a temporary removable appliance.