Titanium (Ti) and Ti-based alloys are commonly used in dental implants, and surface modifications of dental implants are important for achieving osseointegration (i.e., direct connection between the implant surface and bone). This study investigated the effect of an eco-friendly etching solution—a hydrogen peroxide–sodium bicarbonate mixture—on the surface properties and contact angles of osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on Ti surfaces. Disk-shaped Ti specimens were prepared using different surface treatments (machining, sandblasting, and sandblasting/acid-etching), and they were immersed in the etching solution and ultrasonically cleaned. Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, digital microscopy, contact angle analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MG-63 osteoblasts were cultured on the specimens, and their adhesion to the specimen surface and proliferation were examined using staining and the MTT assay, respectively. Additional etching with the etching solution caused the formation of nano/micro hierarchical structures, increased surface roughness, and enhanced hydrophilicity. Osteoblast adhesion and proliferation were found to improve on the modified surfaces. The eco-friendly etching method has the potential to enhance the biological properties of Ti implant surfaces and thereby improve dental implant performance.

Lee JH, et al. J Periodontal Implant Sci. 2023 Jun;53:e23. https://doi.org/10.5051/jpis.2300640032

Titanium (Ti) and Ti-based alloys are commonly used in dental implants, and surface modifications of dental implants are important for achieving osseointegration (i.e., direct connection between the implant surface and bone). This study investigated the effect of an eco-friendly etching solution—a hydrogen peroxide–sodium bicarbonate mixture—on the surface properties and contact angles of and osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on Ti surfaces. Disk-shaped Ti specimens were prepared using different surface treatments (machining, sandblasting, and sandblasting/acid-etching), and they were immersed in the etching solution and then ultrasonically cleaned. Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, digital microscopy, contact angle analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MG-63 osteoblasts were cultured on the specimens, and their adhesion to the specimen surface and their proliferation were examined using staining and the MTT assay, respectively. Additional etching with the etching solution caused the formation of nano/micro hierarchical structures, increased the surface roughness, and enhanced the hydrophilicity. Osteoblast adhesion and proliferation were found to improve on the modified surfaces. The eco-friendly etching method has the potential to enhance the biological properties of Ti implant surfaces and to thereby improve the dental implant performance.

Background/Objectives: The rehabilitation of severely resorbed anterior alveolar ridges presents significant clinical challenges due to esthetic demands and the limited bone volume in this region. Basal cortical implants, which are designed to engage dense basal bone, could offer an alternative by providing stable anchorage in compromised sites. Methods: This report evaluates the ARi^® Implant System, which features cortical anchorage and a calcium-incorporated nanostructured surface (XPEED^®) in two anterior ridge defect cases. Soft tissue augmentation using a vascularized interpositional periosteal (VIP) flap was applied in one case, and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) grafting and collagen membranes were employed for ridge contouring in both cases. Results: At a two-year follow-up, both cases showed stable peri-implant tissues and satisfactory esthetic results. Conclusions: Although basal cortical implants provide good primary stability, their use does not eliminate the need for bone augmentation, especially in the anterior esthetic region. Future clinical studies are required to substantiate long-term outcomes and broader applicability.

Jae-Hong Lee, Eun-Hee Jung, Hyun-Wook An, Jae-Seung Im, Dong-Won Lee, and Jeong-Ho Yun. Oral Biol Res 2022;46:150-7. https://doi.org/10.21851/obr.46.04.202212.150

Rehabilitation of severely resorbed anterior alveolar ridges presents considerable challenges due to compromised esthetics and insufficient bone volume. Conventional implant placement often necessitates extensive bone augmentation procedures, increasing patient morbidity, treatment duration, and overall complexity. Therefore, basal cortical implants have been developed to use basal cortical bone anchorage, offering enhanced initial stability and reducing the need for additional bone grafting. The ARi® Implant System, a novel basal cortical implant, combines a uniquely optimized thread design with a nanostructured, calcium-incorporated XPEED® surface treatment to promote early osteoblastic activity, rapid bone-to-implant integration, and improved biomechanical stability. This report describes two clinical cases involving patients with significant anterior alveolar ridge defects. The ARi® Implant System was used with vascularized interpositional periosteal (VIP) flap techniques, synthetic bone grafting, and collagen membrane coverage to optimize ridge augmentation and soft tissue stability. Both patients showed successful outcomes with stable osseointegration, minimal marginal bone loss, and excellent esthetic integration at 2-year follow-ups. The treatment approach reduced surgical complexity and healing time while enhancing patient satisfaction. The ARi® Implant System demonstrates promising clinical efficacy in anterior ridge augmentation, providing stable, esthetically pleasing outcomes without extensive bone grafting. Further biomechanical and long-term studies are necessary to confirm these findings.