Various materials, such as titanium, zirconia and platinum-gold (Pt-Au) alloy, have been utilized for dental implant trans-mucosal parts. However, biological understanding of soft tissue reaction toward these materials is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the response of cell lines and soft tissue to titanium, zirconia and Pt-Au substrata. The surface hydroxyl groups and protein adsorption capacities of the substrata were measured. Next, gingival epithelial-like cells (Sa3) and fibroblastic cells (NIH3T3) were cultured on the materials, and initial cell attachment was measured. Immuno-fluorescent staining of cell adhesion molecules and cytoskeletal proteins was also performed. In the rat model, experimental implants constructed from various materials were inserted into the maxillary tooth extraction socket and the soft tissue was examined histologically and immunohistochemically. No significant differences among the materials were observed regarding the amount of surface hydroxyl groups and protein adsorption capacity. Significantly fewer cells of Sa3 and NIH3T3 adhered to the Pt-Au alloy compared to the other materials. The expression of cell adhesion molecules and a well-developed cytoskeleton was observed, both Sa3 and NIH3T3 on each material. In an animal model, soft tissue with supracrestal tissue attachment was observed around each material. Laminin-5 immuno-reactivity was seen in epithelia on both titanium and zirconia, but only in the bottom of epithelia on Pt-Au alloy. In conclusion, both titanium and zirconia, but not Pt-Au alloy, displayed excellent cell adhesion properties.

In the intraoral scanner (IOS) impression technique for dental implants, a scanbody (SB) is connected to the implant and scanned. Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is a widely used material for SBs and it is recommended for single use. However, from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is desirable to use these products multiple times. As SBs are used in patients’ mouths, proper sterilization is necessary for multiple uses. In the present study, the effect of autoclave treatment and connection/disconnection on SB deformation was investigated. The SB was connected to the implant and stereolithography (STL) data were obtained. Then, the SB was disconnected and underwent autoclave treatment, or was connected and disconnected multiple times, or underwent a combination of both processes. The results showed that there were significant differences in the distance and angle when comparing SBs before and after the autoclave treatment, but repeated connections with or without autoclave treatment had no significant impact on the measured values. The surface texture, observed with scanning electron microscopy, showed that a groove was observed on the surface of the SB, but the groove did not show major changes after 10 connection/autoclave processes. These results indicate that autoclave sterilization has some impact on SB deformation but connection/disconnection itself may not have a huge impact on SB deformation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using apatite blocks fabricated by a dissolution–precipitation reaction of preset gypsum, with or without statin, to enhance bone formation during socket healing after tooth extraction. Preset gypsum blocks were immersed in a Na₃PO₄ aqueous solution to make hydroxyapatite (HA) low crystalline and HA containing statin (HAFS), or in a mixed solution of Na₂HPO₄ and NaHCO₃ to make carbonate apatite (CO) and CO containing statin (COFS). The right mandibular incisors of four-week-old male Wistar rats were extracted and the sockets were filled with one of the bone substitutes or left untreated as a control (C). The animals were sacrificed at two and four weeks. Areas in the healing socket were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analyses. The bone volume, trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation were greatest in the COFS group, followed by the CO, HAFS, HA, and C groups. The bone mineral density of the COFS group was greater than that of the other groups when evaluated in the vertical plane. The results of this study suggest that COFS not only allowed, but also promoted, bone healing in the socket. This finding could be applicable for alveolar bone preservation after tooth extraction.

We previously reported that CaCl₂ hydrothermal-treated (Ca-HT) titanium (Ti) implants induced a tight sealing at the interface between the implant and peri-implant epithelium (PIE) after implantation. However, it is not clear how long this improved epithelium sealing can be maintained. We subsequently investigated whether the positive effect of Ca-HT to promote sealing between the PIE and implant was sustained longer term. Maxillary molars were extracted from rats and replaced with either Ca-HT implants (Ca-HT group), distilled water-HT implants (DW-HT group) or non-treated implants (control group). After 16 weeks, the majority of implants in the Ca-HT group remained at the maxillary with no apical extension of the PIE. Conversely, half the number of control implants was lost following down-growth of the PIE. The effect of Ca-HT on migration and proliferation of rat oral epithelial cells (OECs) was also investigated. In OECs cultured on Ca-HT Ti plates, protein expression in relation to cell migration decreased, and proliferation was higher than other groups. Surface analysis indicated HT enhanced the formation of surface TiO₂ layer without altering surface topography. Consequently, Ca-HT of Ti reduced PIE down-growth via tight epithelial attachment to the surface, which may enhance implant capability for a longer time post-implantation.

The aim of this study was to investigate titanium membranes (TMs) layered between poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) containing fluvastatin (FS) for use in guided bone regeneration. Membranes consisting of PLGA, FS-containing PLGA (PLGA–FS), TM layered between PLGA (TM–PLGA) and TM layered between FS-containing PLGA (TM–PLGA–FS) were prepared, and their mechanical and chemical properties were evaluated. The TM groups showed statistically significant differences, in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus, when compared to the PLGA groups. The release of FS was demonstrated to be higher in the TM–PLGA–FS group than the PLGA–FS group after Day 14. The effect of membrane implantation on the calvaria of Wistar rats was measured using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and morphometrical analyses, as well as histological observations. At 4 weeks, the TM–PLGA–FS and TM–PLGA groups were found to have lower bone mineral density but higher bone formation, when compared to the control and PLGA groups. At 8 weeks, the use of TM–PLGA–FS membranes significantly enhanced bone formation in the calvaria model, compared to the other groups. These results suggest that a TM layered between PLGA containing FS potentially enhances bone formation, thus showing good potential as a GBR membrane.