Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HAP-TCP) as a bone substitute in subantral augmentation for dental implants. Specifically, it investigates the effects of HAP-TCP on bone quality, density, and integration with implants over time. Methods: A prospective controlled longitudinal study was conducted on 22 patients (39–75 years of age) undergoing subantral augmentation and dental implantation. A total of 52 sites of augmented bone and 67 sites of native bone were analyzed using computed tomography (CT) to assess bone density in Hounsfield Units (HU), insertion torque measurements, and the Misch classification for bone quality. Augmented and native bone measurements were compared within each patient. Results: The augmented bone exhibited an average density of 1132.6 ± 334.9 HU, which is significantly higher (45.9%) than the average density of native bone at 519.3 ± 395.0 HU. Insertion torque values in the HAP-TCP augmented sites averaged 35 N·cm, showing a 71.4% increase compared to adjacent native bone sites (25 N·cm). The study found notable improvements in bone homogeneity and vascularization within the augmented zones. Conclusion: HAP-TCP demonstrates significant potential as a reliable and effective synthetic bone substitute for subantral augmentation in dental implants. It yields higher radiodensity and insertion torque than adjacent native bone, while mitigating complications associated with autogenous grafts. These observational findings support the potential clinical use of HAP-TCP for sinus augmentation.

Niobium‐based MXenes exhibitefficient near‐infrared (NIR) absorption but remain underexplored for in vivo cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated Nb ₄ C ₃ T _x MXene as an NIR‐II photothermal therapy (PTT) sensitizer for melanoma. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed using Nb ₄ C ₃ T _x in combination with pulsed 1064 nm laser irradiation. Tumor growth, histological changes, and spatial localization of MXene were assessed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety. Nb ₄ C ₃ T _x significantly enhanced tumor suppression under pulsed NIR‐II irradiation, inducing extensive destruction of melanoma cells while sparing surrounding tissue. Histological analysis revealed macrophage‐mediated uptake and clearance of MXene, with no evidence of persistent accumulation in tumor remnants or visceral organs. Pulsed laser irradiation provided precise and rapid heating, improving treatment accuracy and minimizing collateral damage. However, complete tumor eradication was not achieved, likely owing to limited light penetration in bulky tumors and the nontargeted distribution of pristine MXene. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of Nb ₄ C ₃ T _x MXene‐assisted PTT in vivo, providing the first experimental evidence of its therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment. These findings establish Nb ₄ C ₃ T _x as a promising platform for pulsed laser–mediated PTT, while highlighting the need for targeted functionalization and treatment optimization to achieve selective tumor ablation.