The placement of dental screw implants typically involves the use of rotary techniques and drills to create a bone bed. This study explores the potential benefits of combining this method with an Er:YAG laser. Split osteotomies were performed on 10 jaws of euthanized domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica), with 12 mandibular implant osteotomies in each jaw, divided into 4 groups. In order to make a comprehensive assessment of the effect of Er:YAG lasers, histomorphological techniques were used to measure the reduction in amorphous layer thickness after Er:YAG laser treatment, both with and without the placement of dental screw implants from different manufacturers. Following bone decalcification and staining, the thickness of the amorphous layer was measured in four groups: Group A—osteotomy performed without Er:YAG laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses ranging from 21.813 to 222.13 µm; Group B—osteotomy performed with Er:YAG laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses ranging from 6.08 to 64.64 µm; Group C—an implant placed in the bone without laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses of 5.90 to 54.52 µm; and Group D—an implant placed after bone treatment with Er:YAG laser—had amorphous layer thicknesses of 1.29 to 7.98 µm. The examination and photomicrodocumentation was performed using a LEICA DM1000 LED microscope (Germany) and LAS V 4.8 software (Leica Application Suite V4, Leica Microsystems, Germany). When comparing group A to group B and group C to D, statistically significant differences were indicated (p-value = 0.000, p < 0.05). The study demonstrates the synergistic effects and the possibility of integrating lasers into the conventional implantation protocol. By applying our own method of biomodification, the smear layer formed during rotary osteotomy can be reduced using Er:YAG lasers. This reduction leads to a narrower peri-implant space and improved bone-to-implant contact, facilitating accelerated osseointegration.

In the present study, novel conjugated lignin/chitosan nanoparticles (LCNPs) were synthesized by a first-time simple green methodology using interfacial co-assembly between both biopolymers. The physicochemical (ζ-potential, size, concentration of surface acidic/basic groups), structural (surface functional groups), and morphological characteristics of the blank and quercetin-encapsulated (Q-LCNPs) nanoparticles were analyzed by the Boehm method, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimentally determined encapsulation capacity was satisfactory—95.75%. The in vitro quercetin release efficiency in acidic solution that simulated the gastric microenvironment was 21.9%, followed by 68.5% and 99.8% cumulative release efficiency in simulated intestinal media at pH 7.4 and 6.8, respectively. The satisfactory applicability of the Weibull and sigmoidal mathematical models towards the experimental in vitro release data was indicative of the remarkable roles of diffusion and relaxation mechanisms.

Background: Supragingival polishing is a crucial part of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. In recent years, air polishing has been used for this purpose, introducing different polishing powders. The purpose of the following study was to investigate the damage to the gingival margin during air polishing by an inexperienced operator. Methods: Five porcine models were polished by means of three different polishing powders: calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and erythritol. Their impact on the gingival margin was examined by means of histological and scanning electron microscopical observations and compared to healthy samples and samples polished with a polishing brush and paste. Results: The histological observations revealed superficial to minor lesions limited in the epithelium by all the groups tested. Both examination protocols demonstrated less invasiveness of the erythritol-based polishing powder. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, it could be concluded that air polishing is a safe instrumentation method for periodontal therapy even in inexperienced hands when the exact protocol is followed. The erythritol-based polishing powder seems to provide less of an impact on the gingival margin.

This study investigates the effect of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted collagen (Col) scaffolds (2% w/v collagen) loaded with autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and enriched with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and hydroxyapatite-based particles (HAPPs) on bone regeneration in calvarial defects in rabbits. Three implant formulations, Col-(BMP-2) (at a concentration of 80 ng/mL), Col-HAPP (1% w/v) and a mixture of the two—Col-(BMP-2)-HAPP (40 ng/mL final concentration and 0.5% HAPP), were compared with a control group C-Per containing only periosteum to assess the influence of material structure, biochemical signals and cell component on osteogenesis. Histological analysis and quantitative computed tomography (CT) imaging parameters (HU values and residual defect diameter) showed significant differences between the groups, highlighting the role of combined strategies for optimal bone repair. The control group demonstrated the weakest regeneration, expressed by minimal lamellar bone and the largest residual defect. Col-(BMP-2) stimulated moderate osteoinduction with active osteoblasts but without a fully organised lamellar structure. Col-HAΡΡ provided more advanced regeneration, with histologically observed thick osteoid lamellae, early calcification, and structured lamellar architecture, emphasising the osteoconductive role of HAΡΡs. The strongest regeneration was reported with Col-(BMP-2)-HAΡΡ, where the synergy between BMP-2, HAΡΡs and BMSCs resulted in formed osteons, well-developed cancellous bone and minimal residual defects. The established negative correlation between bone density and residual calvarial defects emphasises the relationship between mineralisation and the degree of defect filling. The new data presented demonstrate that the combination of the abovementioned structural, biochemical and cellular factors in 3D bioprinted scaffolds offers a promising strategy for osteoregeneration of complex bone defects.

Anatomical variation in the equine tarsus may involve either fusion of the os tarsale primum with the os tarsale secundum or the presence of a separate os tarsale primum. The distal row of tarsal bones is therefore of particular anatomical interest, as an independent first tarsal bone has been only sporadically documented in previous studies. In this study, twelve equine tarsal joints were examined using macroscopic and radiographic methods. In eleven specimens, six tarsal bones were identified, whereas in one specimen (1/12, 8.3%), seven tarsal bones were observed due to the presence of an independent os tarsale primum with an irregular cuboid shape. Radiographic examination confirmed and complemented the macroscopic findings. These results document the morphological characteristics of the distal tarsal region in the examined specimens and may support further anatomical and diagnostic studies of the equine tarsal joint.