Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:The goal of this study was to evaluate hard tissue response following guided bone regeneration using commercially available bovine bone grafts and collagen membranes; bilayer collagen membrane and porcine pericardium-based membrane, by means of a non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) computerized volumetric analysis following microtomography reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS/METHODS:Bone regenerative properties of various bovine bone graft materials were evaluated in the Göttingen minipig model. Two standardized intraosseous defects (15mm x 8mm x 8mm) were created bilaterally of the mandible of eighteen animals (n=72 defects). Groups were nested within the same subject and randomly distributed among the sites: (i) negative control (no graft and membrane), (ii) bovine bone graft/bilayer collagen membrane (BOB) (iii) Bio-Oss® bone graft/porcine pericardium-based membrane (BOJ) and (iv) cerabone® bone graft/porcine pericardium-based membrane (CJ). Samples were harvested at 4, 8, and 12-week time points (n=6 animal/time point). Segments were scanned using computerized microtomography (μCT) and three dimensionally reconstructed utilizing volumetric reconstruction software. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS:From a temporal perspective, tridimensional evaluation revealed gradual bone ingrowth with the presence of particulate bone grafts bridging the defect walls, and mandibular architecture preservation over time. Volumetric analysis demonstrated no significant difference between all groups at 4 weeks (p>0.127). At 8 and 12 weeks there was a higher percentage of new bone formation for control and CJ groups when compared to BOB and BOJ groups (p<0.039). The natural bovine bone graft group showed more potential for graft resorption over time relative to bovine bone graft, significantly different between 4 and 8 weeks (p<0.003). CONCLUSIONS:Volumetric analysis yielded a favorable mandible shape with respect to time through the beneficial balance between graft resorption/bone regenerative capacity for the natural bovine bone graft.

OBJECTIVE:To characterize the effects of aging on the nanomechanical properties and 3D surface topographical parameters of an experimental Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) composite compared to its respective individual counterpart materials. METHODS:), while X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) assessed the crystalline content and microstructure. All tests were performed before and after simulated aging (134°C, 2.2 bar, 20 h). Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed-model and least square difference pos-hoc tests (α = 5%). RESULTS:yielded the highest H and E values (H:21 GPa, E: 254 GPa), followed by ZTA 70/30 (H: 13 GPa, E: 214 GPa) and Zpex (H:11 GPa, E: 167 GPa), all significantly different (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:presented high hydrothermal stability with respect to all evaluated variables, where artificial aging significantly increased the monoclinic content and surface roughness of Zpex.

OBJECTIVE:The effectiveness of GBR procedures for the reconstruction of periodontal defects has been well documented. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the degradation kinetics and biocompatibility of two resorbable collagen membranes in conjunction with a bovine xenograft material. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Lower premolars and first molars were extracted from 18 male Yucatan minipigs. After 4 months of healing, standardized semi-saddle defects were created (12 mm × 8 mm × 8 mm [l˙̇ × W˙ × d]), with 10 mm between adjacent defects. The defects were filled with a bovine xenograft and covered with a either the bilayer collagen membrane (control) or the porcine pericardium-derived collagen membrane (test). Histological analysis was performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing and the amount of residual membrane evaluated. Non-inferiority was calculated using the Brunner-Langer mixed regression model. RESULTS:Histological analysis indicated the presence of residual membrane in both groups at all time points, with significant degradation noted in both groups at 12 weeks compared to 4 weeks (p = .017). No significant difference in ranked residual membrane scores between the control and test membranes was detected at any time point. CONCLUSIONS:The pericardium-derived membrane was shown to be statistically non-inferior to the control membrane with respect to resorption kinetics and barrier function when utilized for guided bone regeneration in semi-saddle defects in minipigs. Further evaluation is necessary in the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate peri-implant bone formation of titanium implants using an in vivo rat model with and without uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) to evaluate osseointegration of hydrophobic (Neoporos®) and hydrophilic (Acqua®) surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:54 rats were divided into two groups: DM group (DMG) (streptozotocin-induced diabetes) and a control group (CG). Implants with hydrophobic (Neoporos®) and hydrophilic surfaces (Acqua) were placed in the left or right tibia of animals. Animals were further divided into three groups (n = 9) euthanized after 7, 14, or 28 days. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) were assessed in total, cortical, and medullary areas. RESULTS:The DMG group, after a 7-day healing period, yielded with the Acqua implants presented significantly higher total BIC (+37.9%; p=0.03) and trabecular BIC (%) (+46.3%; p=0.02) values in comparison to the Neoporos implants. After 28 days of healing, the CG yielded that the cortical BAFO of Acqua implants to be significantly, 14%, higher (p=0.04) than Neoporos implants. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The positive effects of the Acqua surface were able to counteract the adverse impact of uncontrolled DM at early osseointegration periods. After 28 days in vivo, the metabolic systemic impairment caused by DM overcame the surface treatment effect, leading to impaired osseointegration in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic implants. CLINICAL RELEVANCE/CONCLUSIONS:The adverse effects of diabetes mellitus with respect to bone healing may be minimized by deploying implants with strategically modified surfaces. This study evaluated the effects of implants with Acqua® and Neoporos® surfaces in both diabetic and healthy animals. During the initial healing period in diabetic animals, the hydrophilic surface was demonstrated to have beneficial effect on osseointegration in comparison to the hydrophobic surface. The results provide an insight into early healing, but the authors suggest that a future short-term and long-term clinical study is needed to assess the possible benefit of the Acqua® implant as well as in increasing the predictability of implant osseointegration.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the effect of two surface modifications on early osseointegration parameters of conical implants in a translational pre-clinical model. MATERIALS AND METHODS:), surface energy and contact angle. Subsequently, implants were installed in the ilium crest of nine female sheep (weighing ~65 kg). Torque out, histological and histomorphometric analyses were conducted after 3 and 6 weeks in-vivo. The percentage of bone to implant contact (%BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy within implant threads (%BAFO) were quantified, and the results were analyzed using a general linear mixed model analysis as function of surface treatment and time in-vivo. RESULTS:. Torque-out testing yielded significantly higher values for IMP Sur + AE in comparison to the IMP Sur at 3- (62.78 ± 15 and 33.49 ± 15 N.cm, respectively) and 6-weeks (60.74 ± 15 and 39.80 ± 15 N.cm, respectively). Histological analyses depicted similar osseointegration features for both surfaces, where an intramembranous-type healing pattern was observed. At histomorphometric analyses, IMP Sur + AE implants yielded higher values of BIC in comparison to IMP Sur at 3- (40.48 ± 38 and 27.98 ± 38%, respectively) and 6-weeks (45.86 ± 38 and 34.46 ± 38%, respectively). Both groups exhibited a significant increase in %BAFO from 3 (~35%) to 6 weeks (~44%), with no significant differences between surface treatments. CONCLUSION:Supplemental acid-etching and its interplay with implant thread design, positively influenced the BIC and torque-out resistance at early stages of osseointegration.

OBJECTIVE:Evaluate the effect of aging using two different methods on the three-dimensional fit of zirconia abutments at the implant-abutment connection and estimate the probability of survival of anterior crowns supported by straight and 17-degree angled abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Two different zirconia abutment designs, straight and 17-degree angled abutments (n = 63/group), were evaluated in the current study. The abutments were randomly allocated into three experimental groups according to laboratory aging condition (134°C, 2.2 bar, 20 h): (i) control, (ii) autoclave aging, and (iii) hydrothermal reactor aging. Crystalline content was determined by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, and microstructure was analyzed using field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). Implant-abutment volume misfit was determined in the straight abutments by micro-computed tomography using the silicone replica technique. For fatigue testing, abutments were torqued to the implants and connected to standardized maxillary incisor zirconia crowns. The assemblies were subjected to step-stress accelerated life testing (SSALT) in water until fracture or suspension. The use level probability Weibull curves and probability of survival for a mission of 50,000 cycles at 50, 100, 150 and 200 N were calculated and plotted. Fractured samples were analyzed using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. RESULTS:). The beta (β) values indicated that failures were predominantly controlled by material strength rather than fatigue damage accumulation for all groups, except for straight control abutments. Irrespective of aging, the probability of survival of straight and angled zirconia abutments was up to 95% (95-100%) at 50 and 100 N. A 50N-increase in the load resulted in wider range of survival estimate, with straight autoclave abutments percentage significantly lower probability of survival (77%) than angled hydrothermal reactor abutments (99%). At 200N, angled hydrothermal reactor (97%) or autoclave (82%) aged abutments demonstrated the highest probability of survival, angled control (71%) and straight hydrothermal reactor (69%) abutments intermediate values, and straight autoclave (23%) and control (7%) abutments the lowest estimate. The failure mode predominantly involved abutment and/or abutment screw fracture for both straight and angled abutments. CONCLUSIONS:Hydrothermal aging significantly influenced volume misfit, as well as the probability of survival of zirconia abutments at higher loads for both angled and straight abutments.

Bone defects are often linked to congenital disorders, high impact traumas, tumors or oncological resections. Potential treatment options include autografts, allografts, or synthetic grafts, such as bioactive ceramic-based materials which have been successfully utilized in an effort to regenerate bone. β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), is a commonly utilized bioactive ceramic for regenerative purposes with favorable osteoconductive properties. Alternatively, Synthetic Bone Mineral (SBM) has been previously utilized in in vivo experiments as a supplement for bone loss treatment. As a potential alternative to β-TCP, it is also a bioactive ceramic, which consists of a carbonate hydroxyapatite with ionic substitutions such as F^−, Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The objective of this work was to characterize the physiochemical properties of the colloidal gel obtained from a formulation of SBM and compare the properties directly to β-TCP. Mechanical properties were evaluated for both materials in bulk, using Biaxial Flexural Strength tests. Scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography were utilized to explore the structure of the bulk material and the three dimensionally (3D) printed scaffolds. Inductive coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), were utilized to determine the calcium-phosphorous ratio (Ca:P), quantitative analysis of crystalline phases, and functional groups, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to quantify the weight percent of water, organic components, carbonate and mineral in the SBM colloidal gel. Flexural strength of SBM discs sintered at 700°C were statistically analogous to β-TCP sintered at 900°C. The Ca:P ratio of the sintered SBM was found to be 1.47 ± 0.04, statistically different from β-TCP sintered at higher temperatures. The carbonate content of the SBM was determined to be ~2.8% ± 0.9. The novel SBM colloidal gel has hence been characterized chemically and physically for its potential use in 3D printing grafts to repair critical sized bone defects.

To characterize the physicomechanical properties of an alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ). ATZ synthesis consisted of the addition of alumina particles in an yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) matrix. Specimens were obtained by uniaxial and isostatic pressing ATZ and 3Y-TZP powders and sintering at 1600°C/1 h and 1550°C/1 h, respectively. Crystalline content and residual stress were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties were determined by reflectance test. Mechanical properties were assessed by biaxial flexural strength test. All analyses were performed before and after aging (134°C, 20 h, 2 bar). XRD and SEM revealed a typical ATZ and 3Y-TZP crystalline content, chiefly tetragonal phase, with a dense polycrystalline matrix, though a smaller grain size for ATZ. Aging triggered a similar monoclinic transformation for both systems; however, ATZ exhibited higher residual compressive stresses than 3Y-TZP. While as-processed 3Y-TZP demonstrated significantly higher characteristic strength relative to ATZ, no significant difference was observed after aging (~215 MPa increase in the ATZ strength). ATZ presented significantly higher opacity relative to 3Y-TZP, although aging significantly increased the translucency of both systems (increase difference significantly higher in the 3Y-TZP compared to ATZ). ATZ physicomechanical properties support its applicability in the dental field, with a lower detrimental effect of aging relative to 3Y-TZP.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To characterize the physicochemical and mechanical properties of a milled fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) for implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). METHODS:connector area and 2.5 mm-height lingual extension). A hybrid resin composite was veneered onto the frameworks. FDPs were subjected to step-stress accelerated-life fatigue testing until fracture or suspension. Use level probability Weibull curves at 300 N were plotted and the reliability for 100,000 cycles at 300, 600 and 800 N was calculated. Fractographic analysis was performed by stereomicroscope and SEM. RESULTS:The FRC consisted of an epoxy resin (∼25%) matrix reinforced with inorganic particles and glass fibers (∼75%). Multi-layer continuous regular-geometry fibers were densely arranged in a parallel and bidirectional fashion in the resin matrix. Fatigue analysis demonstrated high probability of survival (99%) for FDPs at 300 N, irrespective of framework design. Conventional FDPs showed a progressive decrease in the reliability at 600 (84%) and 800 N (19%), whereas modified FDPs reliability significantly reduced only at 800 N (75%). The chief failure modes for FRC FDPs were cohesive fracture of the veneering composite on lower loads and adhesive fracture of the veneering composite at higher loads. SIGNIFICANCE/CONCLUSIONS:Milled epoxy resin matrix reinforced with glass fibers composite resulted in high probability of survival in the implant-supported prosthesis scenario.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the effect of osteotomy preparation by conventional, subtractive, or osseodensification instrumentation on osteotomies, treated with or without endosteal implants, and healing capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Seven sheep were used, and 56 osteotomies were made in the left and right ilium of the sheep (n = 8/sheep [4 per side/time point (3 and 6 weeks)]). Two different instrumentation techniques were used: (1) conventional/regular drilling in a three-step series of a 2-mm pilot and 3.2-mm and 3.8-mm twist drills and (2) osseodensification drilling with a Densah Bur 2.0-mm pilot and 2.8-mm and 3.8-mm multi-fluted tapered burs. Drilling was performed at 1,100 rpm with saline irrigation. RESULTS:Qualitative histomorphometric evaluation of the osteotomies after 3 and 6 weeks did not indicate any healing impairment due to the instrumentation. In all samples, histologic examination suggested bone remodeling and growth (empty and treated with an implant), irrespective of preparation technique. Osteotomies prepared using the osseodensification instrumentation showed the existence of bone chips autografted into the trabecular spaces along the length of the osteotomy wall. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The osseodensification group yielded higher osseointegration rates, as distinguished through qualitative assessment, bone-to-implant contact, and bone-area-fraction occupancy, indicating an increased osteogenic potential in osteotomies prepared using the osseodensification technique.