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To evaluate hydrogel-based scaffolds embedded with parathyroid hormone (PTH)-loaded mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) on the enhancement of bone tissue regeneration in vitro.MBG was produced via sol-gel technique followed by PTH solution imbibition. PTH-loaded MBG was blended into the hydrogels and submitted to a lyophilisation process associated with a chemical crosslinking reaction to the production of the scaffolds. Characterisation of the MBG and PTH-loaded MBG scaffolds, including the scanning electron microscope (SEM) connected with an X-ray detector (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), compression strength, rheological measurements, swelling and degradation rates, and PTH release analysis, were performed. Also, bioactivity using simulated-body fluid (SBF), biocompatibility (MTT), and osteogenic differentiation analyses (von Kossa and Alizarin Red stainings, and μ-computed tomography, μCT) of the scaffolds were carried out.SEM images demonstrated MBG particles dispersed into the hydrogel-based scaffold structure, which was homogeneously porous and well interconnected. EDX and FTIR revealed large amounts of carbon, oxygen, sodium, and silica in the scaffold composition. Bioactivity experiments revealed changes on sample surfaces over the analysed period, indicating the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite; however, the chemical composition remained stable. PTH-loaded hydrogel-based scaffolds were biocompatible for stem cells from human-exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). A high quantity of calcium deposits on the extracellular matrix of SHED was found for PTH-loaded hydrogel-based scaffolds. μCT images showed MBG particles dispersed into the scaffolds' structure, and a porous, lamellar, and interconnected hydrogel architecture.PTH-loaded hydrogel-based scaffolds demonstrated consistent morphology and physicochemical properties for bone tissue regeneration, as well as bioactivity, biocompatibility, and osteoinductivity in vitro. Thus, the scaffolds presented here are recommended for future studies on 3D printing.Bone tissue regeneration is still a challenge for several approaches to oral and maxillofacial surgeries, though tissue engineering applying SHED, scaffolds, and osteoinductive mediators might help to overcome this clinical issue.

Pyroptosis is a caspase-dependent process relevant to the understanding of beneficial host responses and medical conditions for which inflammation is central to the pathophysiology of the disease. Pyroptosis has been recently suggested as one of the pathways of exacerbated inflammation of periodontal tissues. Hence, this focused review aims to discuss pyroptosis as a pathological mechanism in the cause of periodontitis. The included articles presented similarities regarding methods, type of cells applied, and cell stimulation, as the outcomes also point to the same direction considering the cellular events. The collected data indicate that virulence factors present in the diseased periodontal tissues initiate the inflammasome route of tissue destruction with caspase activation, cleavage of gasdermin D, and secretion of interleukins IL-1β and IL-18. Consequently, removing periopathogens’ virulence factors that trigger pyroptosis is a potential strategy to combat periodontal disease and regain tissue homeostasis.

Objectives This study evaluated the effect of embedding simvastatin (SIM) on the osteoinductive capacity of PLGA + HA/βTCP scaffolds in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Materials and methods Scaffolds were produced by PLGA solvent dissolution, addition of HA/βTCP, solvent evaporation, and leaching of sucrose particles to impart porosity. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA/30% βTCP) were added to the PLGA in a 1:1 (w:w) ratio. Scaffolds with SIM received 1% (w:w) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a disc-shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. The experimental groups were (G1) PLGA + HA/βTCP and (G2) PLGA + HA/βTCP + SIM in non-osteogenic culture medium, while (G3) SHED and (G4) MC3T3-E1 in osteogenic culture medium were the positive control groups. The release profile of SIM from scaffolds was evaluated. DNA quantification assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteonectin proteins, extracellular calcium detection, von Kossa staining, and X-ray microtomography were performed to assess the capacity of scaffolds to induce the osteogenic differentiation of SHED. Results The release profile of SIM followed a non-liner sustained-release rate, reaching about 40% of drug release at day 28. Additionally, G2 promoted the highest osteogenic differentiation of SHED, even when compared to the positive control groups. Conclusions In summary, the osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds was expressively enhanced by embedding simvastatin. Clinical relevance Bone regeneration is still a limiting factor in the success of several approaches to oral and maxillofacial surgeries, though tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells, scaffolds, and osteoinductive mediators might collaborate to this topic.

Objectives: to study how cellular lysates could affect the expression of inflammatory cytokines of periodontal-related cells. Materials and Methods: cell suspensions were submitted to different treatments: lysate 1 – no treatment; lysate 2 – sonication; and lysate 3 – freeze/thawing. All lysates were centrifuged, and the supernatants were used for experimentation. Cell viability assays, RT-qPCR of IL1, IL6 and IL8, IL6 immunoassay, and immunofluorescence of NF-kB were applied to verify the inflammatory crosstalk potential of damaged cells over healthy plated cells. Further, titanium discs and collagen membranes were treated with the cell lysates and checked for IL8 RT-qPCR expression. Results: lysates obtained upon sonication or freeze/thawing of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines provoked a robust increase in the expression of IL1, IL6, and IL8 by gingival fibroblasts, which was confirmed by immunoassays for IL6. Lysates obtained from the gingival fibroblasts failed to increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Epithelial cell lysates caused the activation of the NF-kB signalling cascade in gingival fibroblasts as indicated by the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65, indicating inflammation. Finally, epithelial lysates could adhere to the titanium and collagen membrane surfaces and increase IL8 expression by gingival fibroblasts. Conclusions: injured oral epithelial cells can release factors that incite gingival fibroblasts to become pro-inflammatory. Clinical Relevance: injuries affecting the oral mucosa generate epithelial fragments that may reach the underlying connective tissue and provoke inflammation. These injuries are routinely caused by mastication, sonication for teeth cleaning, prostheses maladaptation, implant drilling, and teeth preparation.

Background: Pyroptosis is a caspase-dependent catabolic process relevant to periodontal disorders for which inflammation is central to the pathophysiology of the disease. Although enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has been applied to support periodontal regeneration, its capacity to modulate the expression of pyroptosis-related genes remains unknown. Considering EMD has anti-inflammatory properties and pyroptosis is linked to the activation of the inflammasome in chronic periodontitis, the question arises whether EMD could reduce pyroptosis signalling. Methods: To answer this question, primary macrophages obtained from murine bone marrow and RAW 264.7 macrophages were primed with EMD before being challenged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cells were then analysed for pyroptosis-signalling components by gene expression analyses, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) immunoassay, and the detection of caspase-1 (CAS1). The release of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also detected. Results: We report here that EMD, like the inflammasome (NLRP3) and CAS1 specific inhibitors—MCC950 and Ac-YVAD-cmk, respectively—lowered the LPS-induced expression of NLRP3 in primary macrophages (EMD: p = 0.0232; MCC950: p = 0.0426; Ac-YVAD-cmk: p = 0.0317). EMD further reduced the LPS-induced expression of NLRP3 in RAW 264.7 cells (p = 0.0043). There was also a reduction in CAS1 and IL-1β in RAW 264.7 macrophages on the transcriptional level (p = 0.0598; p = 0.0283; respectively), in IL-1β protein release (p = 0.0313), and CAS1 activity. Consistently, EMD, like MCC950 and Ac-YVAD-cmk, diminished the ROS release in activated RAW 264.7 cells. In ST2 murine mesenchymal cells, EMD could not be tested because LPS, saliva, and IL-1β + TNF-α failed to provoke pyroptosis signalling. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EMD is capable of dampening the expression of pyroptosis-related genes in macrophages.

The main aim of this review study was to report the state of art on the nano-scale technological advancements of titanium implant surfaces to enhance the osseointegration process. Several methods of surface modification are chronologically described bridging ordinary methods (e.g. grit blasting and etching) and advanced physicochemical approaches such as 3D-laser texturing and biomimetic modification. Functionalization procedures by using proteins, peptides, and bioactive ceramics have provided an enhancement in wettability and bioactivity of implant surfaces. Furthermore, recent findings have revealed a combined beneficial effect of micro- and nano-scale modification and biomimetic functionalization of titanium surfaces. However, some technological developments of implant surfaces are not commercially available yet due to costs and a lack of clinical validation for such recent surfaces. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to endorse the use of enhanced biomimetic implant surfaces. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Grit-blasting followed by acid-etching is currently used for titanium implant modifications, although recent technological biomimetic physicochemical methods have revealed enhanced osteoconductive and anti-microbial outcomes. An improvement in wettability and bioactivity of titanium implant surfaces has been accomplished by combining micro and nano-scale modification and functionalization with protein, peptides, and bioactive compounds. Such morphological and chemical modification of the titanium surfaces induce the migration and differentiation of osteogenic cells followed by an enhancement of the mineral matrix formation that accelerate the osseointegration process. Additionally, the incorporation of bioactive molecules into the nanostructured surfaces is a promising strategy to avoid early and late implant failures induced by the biofilm accumulation.

Using autogenous grafts in mucogingival surgeries is related to postoperative morbidity and limited tissue availability, and thus xenogeneic matrices are increasingly used. This in vitro study evaluated the influence of xenogeneic collagen matrix thickness on cell adhesion, morphology, viability, proliferation, and matrix degradation. Matrices were divided into three groups: SLC: single layer of Lumina Coat, as commercially available (2-mm thickness); DLC: double layer of SLC (Lumina Coat); and MG: single layer of Mucograft, as commercially available (4-mm thickness). SEM was used to evaluate the matrix surface topographies. To evaluate the cell viability, proliferation, adhesion, and morphology, human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were used. Cell viability was evaluated through MTS colorimetric method evaluating HGF and SHED on days 1, 3, and 7. Cell proliferation was assessed by PicoGreen assay, evaluating HGF and SHED on days 3 and 7. Sample degradation was evaluated on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. All groups were biocompatible for HGF and SHED, showing viabilities > 70% on days 1, 3, and 7. DCL promoted HGF viabilities similar to MG (P = .2828) and the highest SHED viability (P < .0001) on day 1. DLC also demonstrated HGF and SHED proliferations higher than the positive control (MG; P < .05) on day 7. SLC was completely degraded on day 14, while DLC and MG presented 48.41% and 20.52% of their initial mass, respectively, on day 35. Increasing the matrix thickness improved HGF and SHED viability and proliferation and prevented early matrix degradation. DLC demonstrated better results than SLC and MG concerning matrix degradation and HGF and SHED viability and proliferation.

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate whether peri-implant clinical parameters (modified plaque index (mPI), bleeding and/or suppuration on probing (B/SOP)) and local factors (type of prostheses, screw emergence, platform diameter, and abutment angulation) might contribute to the development of additional bone loss and peri-implantitis around dental implants. Materials and methods Two hundred seventy-seven external hex connection implants placed in the posterior maxilla of 124 patients were retrospectively evaluated. They were divided into two groups: physiologic bone loss < 2 mm (PBL) or additional bone loss ≥ 2 mm (ABL). GEE logistic regression was applied to evaluate the influence of type of prostheses (implant-supported single crown (ISSC), fixed partial denture (ISFPD), and full denture (ISFD)) and clinical parameters (mPI and S/BOP) on bone loss. Results Among the 277 implants, 159 (57.4%) presented PBL and 118 (42.6%) presented ABL. Within the ABL group, 20.6% implants were diagnosed with peri-implantitis. mPI significantly correlated with the type of prosthesis and the highest value of mPI (index = 3) was observed in ISFD (23.8%). Moreover, peri-implantitis was more frequently associated with ISFD (32.79%) than ISSC and ISFDP (13.79% and 13.48, respectively) Conclusions ISFD in the posterior maxilla presented high rates of ABL and showed a higher prevalence of peri-implantitis. None of the local factors seemed to contribute to the development of these conditions. Further investigations are needed to prospectively support the results of the present study. Clinical relevance Patients rehabilitated with ISFD should be carefully monitored and have more frequent maintenance visits to prevent or control peri-implant bone loss.

The aim of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate degradation and biocompatibility of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) + hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA+HA/βTCP) scaffolds incorporating simvastatin (SIM) to verify if this biomaterial might be promising for bone tissue engineering. Samples were obtained by the solvent evaporation technique. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA, 30% βTCP) were added to PLGA in a ratio of 1:1. Samples with SIM received 1% (m/m) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a cylindric shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. For degradation analysis, samples were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C under constant stirring for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Nondegraded samples were taken as reference. Mass variation, scanning electron microscopy, porosity analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry were performed to evaluate physico-chemical properties. Wettability and cytotoxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility. Microscopic images revealed the presence of macro-, meso-, and micropores in the polymer structure with HA/βTCP particles homogeneously dispersed. Chemical and thermal analyses presented similar results for both PLGA+HA/βTCP and PLGA+HA/βTCP+SIM. The incorporation of simvastatin improved the hydrophilicity of scaffolds. Additionally, PLGA+HA/βTCP and PLGA+HA/βTCP+SIM scaffolds were biocompatible for osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. In summary, PLGA+HA/βTCP scaffolds incorporating simvastatin presented adequate structural, chemical, thermal, and biological properties for bone tissue engineering.

Introduction Defects in the maxillary anterior teeth are delicate and difficult to solve because of the esthetic, functional, and psychological impairment that may arise if the rehabilitation treatment does not return the damaged tissues to the naturalness. Esthetic predictability and reduced surgical interventions are some great reasons to simplify dental treatments. During the presurgical evaluation, the clinician should review the implant esthetic risk profile, considering the patient's smile line, the esthetic demands, the hard and soft tissue thickness and width, and the gingival biotype. Thus, achieving long-term esthetic results initiates with a detailed case planning before surgical intervention. Case presentation The present report described a complex esthetic clinical case involving teeth and dental implant related to a high smile line. The clinical case was solved through immediate implant placement and immediate loading using a personalized prosthetic abutment and finalized with the installation of metal-free prosthetic restorations. Conclusion The use of a personalized prosthetic abutment helped to achieve a better emergence of the prosthesis under the periodontal tissues. Although it was a challenging esthetic case, especially because of the high smile line, the result was a natural smile while the adjacent soft tissues maintained their esthetics and health.

A series of 32 novel potential bacterial biofilm inhibitor analogues of rubrolides and their lactam derivatives were synthesized. The compounds were prepared and tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In general, γ-alkylidene-γ-lactams are more active than the corresponding γ-alkylidene-γ-lactones, and the two derivatives are more effective in inhibiting bacterial planktonic growth (IC50 of 1.8 and 5.6 μg mL–1) than natural rubrolides. Compounds showing little effect on planktonic growth were assayed for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation. As biofilm inhibitors, none of the new compounds were effective against S. epidermidis, whereas the three Z-lactam derivatives were very active against S. aureus (IC50 = 0.9–3.3 μg mL–1). The strong antibiofilm formation activity displayed by some γ-alkylidene-γ-lactams indicates that this may represent a promising class of compounds for the development of novel antimicrobial agents against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate surface changes on dental implant systems and ions release after immersion in fluoride and hydrogen peroxide. Methods Ten implant-abutment assemblies were embedded in acrylic resin and cross-sectioned along the implant vertical axis. Samples were wet ground and polished. Delimited areas of groups of samples were immersed in 1.23% sodium fluoride gel (F) or in 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) for 16 min. Gels (n = 3) were collected from the implant surfaces and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), to detect the concentration of metallic ions released from the implant systems. Selected areas of the abutment and implant (n = 15) were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results SEM images revealed surface topographic changes on implant-abutment joints after immersion in fluoride. Implants showed excessive oxidation within loss of material, while abutment surfaces revealed intergranular corrosion after immersion in fluoride. ICP-MS results revealed a high concentration of Ti, Al, V ions in fluoride after contact with the implant systems. Localized corrosion of implant systems could not be detected by SEM after immersion in hydrogen peroxide although the profilometry showed increase in roughness. ICP-MS showed the release of metallic ions in hydrogen peroxide medium after contact with dental implants. Conclusion Therapeutical substances such as fluorides and hydrogen peroxide can promote the degradation of titanium-based dental implant and abutments leading to the release of toxic ions.

The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the potential benefits of custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants. A PubMed and ScienceDirect bibliographical search was carried out from 1969 to 2017. The increased interest in zirconia-based dental structures linked to aesthetic and biological outcomes have been reported in literature. Recent technological advances have focused on novel strategies for modification of zirconia-based surfaces to accelerate osseointegration. However, only a few studies revealed mechanical and biological benefits of custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants and therefore further studies should investigate the influence of different design and surface modification on the performance of such implants. Custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants have become a viable alternative to overcome limitations concerning stress distribution, aesthetics, and peri-implantitis induced by biofilms. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies on surface-bone interactions and mechanical behavior of zirconia should be evaluated to reduce clinical issues regarding mechanical failures and late peri-implant bone loss. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2888-2900, 2018.

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potential candidates for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Stromal tissues, from which MSCs are extracted, exist all over the body, suggesting that their precursors are locally available in multiple organs, providing a source of MSCs for homeostasis and repair of tissues. Teeth are one of the organs that contain MSCs. The understanding of properties of the different resident dental-derived stem cell populations may lead to the development of biologically based dental therapies. The continuously growing mouse incisor provides a highly accessible model to study stem cell behavior. Therefore, considering the importance of clinical applications of MSCs obtained from dental pulp, an experimental animal model was developed to study the behavior of different populations of MSCs. Methods Incisors from 7-day postnatal mice were extracted from the mandible and maxilla and pulp tissue was dissociated using collagenase / dispase. The cell suspension was incubated to 80% confluence. The RNA was extracted from the cells, quantified, and transcribed into cDNA. For gene expression analysis (qPCR), MSCs clusters of differentiation genes (CD90, CD73, CD105) were used. For differentiation analysis, cells were incubated for 21 days in specific differentiation media (osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic) and analysed by immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry (FACS) was also performed to sort CD90 positive cells. Thus, the newly dissociated cell suspension was incubated with anti-CD90 antibody. The FACS sorted cells were cultured until confluence and were again analysed by qPCR. Results MSCs obtained from the pulp of mouse incisors presented the minimum criteria for the definition of multipotent MSCs, that is, they expressed CD90, CD73, and CD105 and differentiated in vitro into three cell lineages. However, clusters of differentiation genes were more remarkable for CD90 positive cells than for non-FACS sorted cells. This is an indication that, among the MSC populations of the incisor pulp, there are different potentials for cell differentiation. Conclusions The continuously growing mouse incisor has in its pulp tissue different niches and populations of stem cells that have different behavior regarding the potential for differentiation.

The aim of this study was to perform an integrative review of the literature on the clinically usual prosthesis-abutment misfit over implant-supported structures manufactured by conventional casting technique. The present integrative review used the PRISMA methodology. A bibliographical search was conducted on the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Scopus (Elsevier), ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Web of Science (Thomson Reuters Scientific), Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME), and Virtual Health Library (BVS). A total of 11 relevant studies were selected for qualitative analysis. The prosthetic-abutment vertical misfit considered clinically usual ranged from 50 to 160 μm. The vertical misfit depends on several steps during technical manufacturing techniques, which includes the materials and technical procedures. Lower values in misfit are recorded when precious metal or titanium alloys are utilized. Although a vertical misfit mean value of 100 μm has been considered clinically usual, most of the previous studies included in this revision showed lower mean values.

Bone tissue requires a range of complex mechanisms to allow the restoration of its structure and function. Bone healing is a signaling cascade process, involving cells secreting cytokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory factors in the defect site that will, subsequently, recruit surrounding stem cells to migrate, proliferate, and differentiate into bone-forming cells. Bioactive functional scaffolds could be applied to improve the bone healing processes where the organism is not able to fully regenerate the lost tissue. However, to be optimal, such scaffolds should act as osteoconductors - supporting bone-forming cells, providing nutrients, and sustaining the arrival of new blood vessels, and act as osteoinducers - slowly releasing signaling molecules that stimulate mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate and deposit mineralized bone matrix. Different compositions and shapes of scaffolds, cutting-edge technologies, application of signaling molecules to promote cell differentiation, and high-quality biomaterials are reaching favorable outcomes towards osteoblastic differentiation of stem cells in in vitro and in vivo researches for bone regeneration. Hydrogel-based biomaterials are being pointed as promising for bone tissue regeneration; however, despite all the research and high-impact scientific publications, there are still several challenges that prevent the use of hydrogel-based scaffolds for bone regeneration being feasible for their clinical application. Hence, the objective of this review is to consolidate and report, based on the current scientific literature, the approaches for bone tissue regeneration using bioactive hydrogel-based scaffolds, cell-based therapies, and three-dimensional bioprinting to define the key challenges preventing their use in clinical applications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the density and the morphological aspects of biofilms adhered to different materials applied in oral rehabilitation supported by dental implants. Sixty samples were divided into four groups: feldspar-based porcelain, CoCr alloy, commercially pure titanium grade IV and yttria-stabilized zirconia. Human saliva was diluted into BHI supplemented with sucrose to grow biofilms for 24 or 48 h. After this period, biofilm was removed by 1% protease treatment and then analyzed by spectrophotometry (absorbance), colony forming unit method (CFU.cm-2) and field-emission guns scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). The highest values of absorbance and CFU.cm-2 were recorded on biofilms grown on CoCr alloys when compared to the other test materials for 24 or 48 h. Also, FEG-SEM images showed a high biofilm density on CoCr. There were no significant differences in absorbance and CFU.cm-2 between biofilms grown on zirconia, porcelain and titanium (p

The main aim of this review study was to report the state of art on the technological improvements of titanium implant surfaces to accelerate the osseointegration process.Several methods of surface modification are chronologically described bridging ordinary methods (e.g. grit blasting and etching) and novel physicochemical approaches such as 3D-laser printing and biomimetic modification. Advanced functionalization procedures by using proteins, peptides, and bioactive ceramics have provided an enhancement of wettability and bioactivity of implant surfaces. Furthermore, recent findings have revealed a combined beneficial effect of micro- and nano-scale modification and biomimetic functionalization of titanium surfaces. However, some technological developments of implant surfaces are not commercially available yet due to costs and a lack of clinical validation of the novel surfaces. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to endorse of the use of enhanced biomimetic implant surfaces.

OBJECTIVE To propose a biofunctionalized prosthetic abutment by analyzing physico-chemical and morphological properties, simvastatin (SIM) release, and biocompatibility of titanium (Ti) disks coated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) incorporating SIM. METHODS Titanium disks (8 × 3 mm) were distributed into four groups: Ti: pure Ti; Ti + PLGA: Ti coated with PLGA; Ti + PLGA + SIM6%: Ti + PLGA with 6% SIM; and Ti + PLGA + SIM0.6%: Ti + PLGA incorporating 0.6% SIM. PLGA was prepared through chloroform evaporation technique. After complete dissolution of PLGA, SIM was diluted in the solution. Ti + PLGA, Ti + PLGA + SIM6%, and Ti + PLGA + SIM0.6% were dip coated with PLGA and PLGA + SIM, respectively. Samples were sterilized by ethylene oxide. For SIM release assay, disks were submerged in PBS, pH 7.4, 37°C, 30 rpm up to 600 hours. At different time intervals, SIM was quantified by spectrophotometry (238 nm). For characterization of the biomaterial components, it was performed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry, and atomic force microscopy. Biocompatibility analyses were performed by MTS colorimetric assay on murine fibroblasts L929, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). Absorbance was measured at 490 nm, and percentages of viable cells were calculated in relation to positive control (Ti). SEM images were obtained to verify cell adhesion and morphology. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test was applied (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the release of simvastatin from scaffolds composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and biphasic ceramic designed for bone engineering and to assess the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Samples with 30% and 70% porosity were obtained with 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt %. of simvastatin through the solvent evaporation technique and leaching of sucrose particles. Scaffold degradation and simvastatin release were evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline. Scaffolds were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and microtomography for two-dimensional and three-dimensional morphological characterization of the porosity, connectivity, and intrinsic permeability. The mechanical characterization was conducted based on the compressive strength and the chemical characterization by differential scanning calorimetry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Gradual and prolonged simvastatin release from the scaffolds was observed. The release followed the Korsmeyer kinetics model with the predominance of case II transport for 30% porosity scaffolds, and anomalous behavior for the 70% porosity samples. Simvastatin release was also influenced by the slow scaffold degradation due to the strong chemical interaction between simvastatin and PLGA, as observed by differential scanning calorimetry. The scaffolds presented spherical and sucrose crystal-shaped pores that resulted in a homogenous porosity, with a predominance of open pores, ensuring interconnectivity. Simvastatin incorporation into the scaffolds and increased porosity did not influence the mechanical properties. The scaffolds presented gradual and prolonged simvastatin release, with satisfactory physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The scaffolds presented gradual and prolonged simvastatin release, with satisfactory physico-chemical and mechanical properties, a promise for applications in bone regeneration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2152-2164, 2019.

This chapter deals with the micro- and nanoscale modification of surfaces for cranio-maxillofacial and dental implants. The present chapter begins within brief fundamentals on titanium implants focusing on their chemical and morphological aspects of surfaces. Several methods of surface modification are described involving ordinary physicochemical methods (e.g., grit blasting and etching) and advanced functionalization procedures by using polymers, proteins, and bioactive ceramics. This chapter also reports the effect of the surface modification on the osteogenic cell behavior and consequent bone formation during the bone healing process.

Considering oral diseases, antibiofilm compounds can decrease the accumulation of pathogenic species such as Streptococcus mutans at micro-areas of teeth, dental restorations or implant-supported prostheses. Objective To assess the effect of thirteen different novel lactam-based compounds on the inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation. Material and methods We synthesized compounds based on γ-lactones analogues from rubrolides by a mucochloric acid process and converted them into their corresponding γ-hydroxy-γ-lactams by a reaction with isobutylamine and propylamine. Compounds concentrations ranging from 0.17 up to 87.5 μg mL-1 were tested against S. mutans. We diluted the exponential cultures in TSB and incubated them (37°C) in the presence of different γ-lactones or γ-lactams dilutions. Afterwards, we measured the planktonic growth by optical density at 630 nm and therefore assessed the biofilm density by the crystal violet staining method. Results Twelve compounds were active against biofilm formation, showing no effect on bacterial viability. Only one compound was inactive against both planktonic and biofilm growth. The highest biofilm inhibition (inhibition rate above 60%) was obtained for two compounds while three other compounds revealed an inhibition rate above 40%. Conclusions Twelve of the thirteen compounds revealed effective inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation, with eight of them showing a specific antibiofilm effect.