The aim of this study was to evaluate a new surgical technique for implant site preparation that could allow to enhance bone density, ridge width, and implant secondary stability. The edges of the iliac crests of 2 sheep were exposed and ten 3.8 × 10-mm Dynamix implants (Cortex) were inserted in the left sides using the conventional drilling method (control group). Ten 5 × 10-mm Dynamix implants (Cortex) were inserted in the right sides (test group) using the osseodensification procedure (Versah). After 2 months of healing, the sheep were killed, and biomechanical and histological examinations were performed. No implant failures were observed after 2 months of healing. A significant increase of ridge width and bone volume percentage (%BV) (approximately 30% higher) was detected in the test group. Significantly better removal torque values and micromotion under lateral forces (value of actual micromotion) were recorded for the test group in respect with the control group. Osseodensification technique used in the present in vivo study was demonstrated to be able to increase the %BV around dental implants inserted in low-density bone in respect to conventional implant drilling techniques, which may play a role in enhancing implant stability and reduce micromotion.

Purpose: The aim of the present in vivo analysis was to evaluate the osseointegration process of titanium implants with three different surfaces (machined, sandblasted and acid-etched, and laser-treated) after 15 and 30 days of healing period. Materials and methods: Thirty-six implants with different surfaces were placed in the iliac crest of four Bergamasca sheep. The implant surfaces tested were sandblasted and acid-etched (group A), laser-treated (group B), and fully machined (group C). Two animals were sacrificed after 15 days while the other two after 30 days. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: After 30 days, the bone tissue layer onto implant groups A and B appeared almost continuous with small marrow spaces interruption, while on the machined surface (group C), larger spaces with marrow tissue alternated with the bony trabeculae onto the titanium surface. Implants in groups A and B showed significantly higher implant contact percentage (BIC%) value than group C (P < 0.05). Moreover, it was observed a BIC% increase in both groups A and B between 15 and 30 days while in the machined group (group C), the BIC% decreased. Conclusion: Results from the present in vivo analysis revealed that both sandblasted/acid-etched and laser-treated titanium implants, compared to the machined ones, have higher values of osseointegration in less healing time.

Objectives: To evaluate, in vivo, the effects of bone temperatures increased up to 60°C introduced before implant insertion on titanium implant osseointegration. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four acid etched and sandblasted implants (Cortex Dental Implants) were inserted in the inferior edge of sheep mandibles. Osteotomic sites were randomly divided into 3 groups before inserting the implant. In test 1 group and in test 2 group, implant sites were overheated, respectively, up to 50°C for 1 minute and 60°C for 1 minute, with an electronic controlled probe of 3 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length. Osteotomic sites in control group were not overheated. Implants were inserted according to standard procedures. After 2 months healing, % bone implant contact (%BIC) and infrabony pockets' depth were measured. Unpaired t test was applied to find statistical differences between groups. Results: No implant failure occurred. No statistical significant difference in %BIC was found among groups. Histological analysis showed that mean infrabony pockets were statistically deeper in 60°C group than in other groups. Conclusions: Bone temperature up to 60°C for 1 minute does not seem to significantly impair titanium dental implant osseointegration. Bone damage signs evident in the 60°C group suggest that careful drilling procedure with sufficient irrigation is necessary to avoid periimplant infrabony pockets' formation. More in vivo evaluations are needed to identify what is the value of bone temperature increase for irreversible inhibition of implant osseointegration.

Purpose: The aim of the present histological and biomechanical analysis was to compare, in vivo, the strength and quality of osseointegration between a laser-treated implant surface and a standard machined surface. Material and Methods: Customized titanium implants, having 2 different surfaces, were used. Implants were longitudinally split in the 2 surfaces: one side was laser treated and the opposite one had a machined surface. Eight implants were inserted in the iliac crest of 2 sheep: 4 with a split laser and machined surfaces, 2 with a completely laser-treated surface, and 2 with fully machined surfaces. The animals were killed 8 weeks after the placement of implants. The histomorphometric and biomechanical parameters calculated for each surface were the bone-implant contact (%BIC) and the reverse torque value (RTV) Results: The RTV of the laser-treated implants were about 3-fold higher than that of the machined implants. The histomorphometric results showed a significant difference of %BIC around 30% between the laser surfaces compared to the machined ones. Conclusions: The present study showed that laser surface treatment induces better osteointegration than machined surface. The laser-treated surface seems to be able to increase the osseointegration amount in respect to the machined implants.

Objective Post-extractive socket grafting techniques reduce alveolar ridge dimensional changes. Numerous graft materials have been suggested and a growing interest in tooth material has been observed as a valuable alternative to synthetic biomaterials or xenografts. Furthermore, different clinical procedures have been proposed for the wound closure of the post-extractive site. This study aims to compare histological and clinical outcomes of two different surgical techniques to seal the post-extractive site with the use of autologous demineralized extracted tooth as graft material. Materials and Methods Sixteen post-extractive socket without buccal and/or palatal bone walls, in sixteen healthy patients, were grafted with the autologous tooth material treated by the new Tooth Transformer device (Tooth Transformer, Milan, Italy). Alveolar socket preservation procedures were performed without flap elevation. Patients were randomly subdivided into two equal groups according to the site closure technique. In group A, the pedunculate tissue was used, while in group B ice cone technique. A bone samples were collected in each site after 4 months for histological analysis. Results No significant clinical differences among the different sealing techniques were observed. In both groups, the site was filled by new bone formation after 4 months of healing. The histological analysis revealed 46.1 ± 8.07% of bone volume, 9.2 ± 9.46% of residual graft, and 35.2 ± 12.36% of vital bone in group A, while group B shows 41.22 ± 5.88% of bone volume, 7.94 ± 7.54% of residual graft, and 31.7 ± 7.52% new bone. No statistical differences were detected (p > 0.05). Conclusion Further studies with a large number of patients, and different observation periods will be needed to confirm the results of this pilot study; however, the interesting data obtained have shown how these techniques, mixed with the autologous dentin derived graft material, seem to promote bone regeneration and reduce physiological bone resorption during alveolar socket preservation treatments.