A variety of implant placement and loading protocols are identified, ranging from immediate implant placement on the day of extraction to delayed placement for at least 6 months after complete healing. The method of assessment of implant placement and loading plays an important role in the implantation. The expected clinical outcomes depend largely on multiple factors, such as the macroscopic design of the implant, surgical technique, and the quality and quantity of local bone in contact with the implant, which would be described in detail. The purpose of this literature review was to explore the relationship between the factors influencing the implant placement stability and implant design. By understanding the original appearance of implant design and the stability requirements of implant placement, it is hoped that more research in the future can meet the needs of dentists and patients.

Oral infection is a common clinical symptom. While antibiotics are widely employed as the primary treatment for oral diseases, the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has necessitated the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. One such modality is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), which utilizes light and photosensitizers. Indeed, aPDT has been used alone or in combination with other treatment options dealing with periodontal disease for the elimination of biofilms from bacterial community to achieve bone formation and/or tissue regeneration. In this review article, in addition to factors affecting the efficacy of aPDT, various photosensitizers, the latest technology and perspectives on aPDT are discussed in detail. More importantly, the article emphasizes the novel design and clinical applications of photosensitizers, as well as the synergistic effects of chemical and biomolecules with aPDT to achieve the complete eradication of biofilms and even enhance the biological performance of tissues surrounding the treated oral area.

Although autografts are considered to be the current gold standard, there is still clinical demand for synthetic bone graft substitutes. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have many favourable properties that support their clinical use in the repair of bone defects. Although the translation of CPCs from the bench to the bedside has been quite successful, some issues remain. This review article provides an overview of the recent progress in the development of CPC-based materials and also emphasises the challenges facing clinical applications. The next generation of CPCs with unique properties is emerging for specific clinical applications.

Novel calcium silicate cements (CSCs) consisting of sol-gel-derived calcium silicate powder as a solid phase and ammonium phosphate solution as a liquid phase were developed. The diametral tensile strength, morphology, and phase composition of various cements were evaluated before and after immersion in physiological solution, in addition to setting time. The proliferation and osteogenetic expression of human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS for the cement specimens were also analyzed. The results indicated that the simultaneous formation of apatite and calcium silicate hydrates (CaO–SiO₂–H₂O, C–S–H) may endow CSCs with unique properties after mixing with a phosphate buffer solution. These CSCs were not only fast-setting within 9 min, as well as highly bioactive, but they also enhanced proliferation and differentiation of U2OS cells. The development of fast-setting CSCs with high bioactivity may thus have numerous applications as biomaterials.

Surface properties play a critical role in influencing cell responses to a biomaterial. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize changes in surface properties of zirconia (ZrO₂) ceramic after oxygen plasma treatment; and (2) to determine the effect of such changes on biological responses of human osteoblast-like cells (MG63). The results indicated that the surface morphology was not changed by oxygen plasma treatment. In contrast, oxygen plasma treatment to ZrO₂ not only resulted in an increase in hydrophilicity, but also it retained surface hydrophilicity after 5-min treatment time. More importantly, surface properties of ZrO₂ modified by oxygen plasma treatment were beneficial for cell growth, whereas the surface roughness of the materials did not have a significant efficacy. It is concluded that oxygen plasma treatment was certified to be effective in modifying the surface state of ZrO₂ and has the potential in the creation and maintenance of hydrophilic surfaces and the enhancement of cell proliferation and differentiation.