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Background: The application of blood concentrates has gained popularity in dentistry in recent years. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been discussed frequently due to a high content of growth factors and the option of chair-side manufacturing in a simple centrifugation process. PRF is free from adjuvants and inexpensive to produce. The number of studies reporting beneficial effects of PRF in various clinical applications such as alveolar ridge preservation, sinus floor elevation, management and prevention of medical-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, third molar extractions, and guided bone regeneration in dentistry has increased recently. However, to date, neither clinical recommendations nor guidelines are available. The present narrative review aims to summarize the level of evidence on the clinical application of PRF within the field of oral surgery and implantology. Summary: A literature search in Pubmed and Medline has identified 34 articles as a basis for this narrative review. The effectiveness of the clinical application of PRF has been analyzed for five indications within dentistry: medical-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, wisdom tooth extraction, guided bone regeneration, sinus floor elevation, and alveolar ridge preservation. The amount of data for third molar extractions, socket preservation, and guided bone regeneration is extensive. Less data were available for the use of PRF in combination with sinus floor elevations. There is a lack of studies with scientific evidence on PRF and medical-related osteonecrosis of the jaw; however, studies positively impact patient-related outcome measures. Most studies report on beneficial effects when PRF is additionally applied in intrabony defects. There is no evidence of the positive effects of PRF combined with bone graft materials during sinus floor elevation. However, some benefits are reported with PRF as a sole filling material. Key Messages: Many recently published studies show the positive clinical impact of PRF. Yet, further research is needed to ensure the validity of the evidence.

Implant removal is unnecessary for biodegradable magnesium (Mg)-based implants and, therefore, the related risk for implant-induced fractures is limited. Aging, on the other hand, is associated with low bone-turnover and decreased bone mass and density, and thus increased fracture risk. Osteoporosis is accompanied by Mg deficiency, therefore, we hypothesized that Mg-based implants may support bone formation by Mg2+ ion release in an ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rat model. Hence, we investigated osseointegration and implant degradation of a low-alloyed, degrading Mg–Zn–Ca implant (ZX00) in ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic (Osteo), old healthy (OH), and juvenile healthy (JH) groups of female Sprague Dawley rats via in vivo micro-computed tomography (µCT). For the Osteo rats, we demonstrate diminished trabecular bone already after 8 weeks upon ovariectomy and significantly enhanced implant volume loss, with correspondingly pronounced gas formation, compared to the OH and JH groups. Sclerotic rim development was observed in about half of the osteoporotic rats, suggesting a prevention from foreign-body and osteonecrosis development. Synchrotron radiation-based µCT confirmed lower bone volume fractions in the Osteo group compared to the OH and JH groups. Qualitative histological analysis additionally visualized the enhanced implant degradation in the Osteo group. To date, ZX00 provides an interesting implant material for young and older healthy patients, but it may not be of advantage in pharmacologically untreated osteoporotic conditions. Statement of significance: Magnesium-based implants are promising candidates for treatment of osteoporotic fractures because of their biodegradable, biomechanical, anti-bacterial and bone regenerative properties. Here we investigate magnesium‒zinc‒calcium implant materials in a rat model with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis (Osteo group) and compare the related osseointegration and implant degradation with the results obtained for old healthy (OH) and juvenile healthy (JH) rats. The work applied an appropriate disease model for osteoporosis and focused in particular on long-term implant degradation for different bone conditions. Enhanced implant degradation and sclerotic rim formation was observed in osteoporotic rats, which illustrates that the setting of different bone models generates significantly modified clinical outcome. It further illustrated that these differences must be taken into account in future biodegradable implant development., Acta Biomaterialia, 147, ISSN:1742-7061, ISSN:1878-7568

Magnesium (Mg)-based implants are promising candidates for orthopedic interventions, because of their biocompatibility, good mechanical features, and ability to degrade completely in the body, eliminating the need for an additional removal surgery. In the present study, we synthesized and investigated two Mg-based materials, ultrahigh-purity ZX00 (Mg–Zn–Ca; 99.999 wt% Mg; Fe-content, Biomaterials Advances, 146, ISSN:2772-9508

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 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.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare bone growth and implant integration in circumferential defects with two commercially available bone substitutes (demineralized bovine bone mineral [DBBM]). Materials and methods Circumferential defects were created in the mandibles of minipigs (n = 10), and Bone Level Tapered implants (Straumann Roxolid with SLActive surface) were placed. The defects (4-mm-deep circumferential defect, 2 mm around each implant) were augmented with either sintered bovine bone mineral (test, cerabone) or natural bovine bone mineral (control, Bio-Oss). Bone formation and tissue composition in augmented sites were histomorphometrically assessed after 8 and 12 weeks of healing time (n = 5 each), respectively, in terms of the percentage of area of newly formed bone to total area, bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and crestal bone height relative to the implant shoulder (first bone-to-implant contact [fBIC]). Results Bone formation in all defect sites was adequate and equivalent for both groups at individual healing time points. The amount of residual graft material was comparable in both groups after 8 and 12 weeks, with no significant resorption in either group. The mean newly formed bone area in the test group amounted to 46.7% ± 5.1% and 48.7% ± 4.0% after 8 and 12 weeks vs 47.0% ± 4.8% and 47.8% ± 7.3% in the control group, respectively. BIC and fBIC as individually assessed for the lingual and buccal aspects were comparable at both healing time points without any statistically significant differences between the groups. A slightly greater variability of fBIC was observed within the test group. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that test and control materials both represent viable bovine bone graft material that equivalently support the formation of new and stable bone volume specifically when used for simultaneous augmentation around implants.

Background: Diabetes is a well-known predisposing factor for oral diseases, so prevention in an early age is mandatory. Objective: To provide oral screening for children living with type 1 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the oral and general health indexes of T1DM children and compare these data to healthy siblings and controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 DM patients and 78 siblings, thereafter 80 DM children and 95 controls, took part. A detailed questionnaire, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalograms were obtained in every orthodontic consultation. We used Pearson’s chi-square test for statistical analysis and compared the data of the study and control groups. Results: The oral health values of DM children were significantly better (DMF-T 0.83–1.3) than the national average (3.8–4.5). A total of 75% (n = 60) of the children needed orthodontic treatment for orthodontic or skeletal anomalies. The prevalence of skeletal anomalies was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in the control group. The frequency of coeliac disease was significantly elevated compared to any literature data (1–3.5%) in the study (15%) and in the control sibling group (13%). Conclusions: Co-morbidities such as CD should get more attention as a prognostic factor for a future higher incidence of diabetes. T1DM children can be motivated and health-conscious patients with excellent oral hygiene and dental status. Orthodontic treatment can help eliminate the oral complications of DM. Special diabetes ambulances may help provide oral care for patients with DM.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the influence of transgingival compared with submerged healing on peri-implant bone maintenance around a novel, fully tapered implant in a healed crestal ridge in minipigs. Materials and methods In each of 12 minipigs, two implants (Straumann® BLX, Roxolid® SLActive®, Ø 3.75 × 8 mm) were placed. Implants were either left for submerged or for transgingival healing for 12 weeks. Measurements performed were bone-to-implant contact (BIC), first bone-to-implant contact (fBIC), bone area to total area (BATA), perpendicular bone crest to implant shoulder (pCIS), bone height change from placement, and bone overgrowth (for submerged implants). Results No significant differences were found between transgingival and submerged healing in any of the measured parameters, except for BATA on the buccal aspect in which significantly more bone formation was found for the transgingival healing group. For both groups, there was a gain in crestal bone height during the 12-week healing period. Conclusions Loaded compared with unloaded implants displayed comparable levels of osseointegration and equivalent marginal bone levels. This qualifies the implant placement protocol with respect to the osteotomy dimensions and subcrestal placement protocol for immediate loading. Clinical relevance The here presented results related to osseointegration and crestal bone maintenance after submerged or transgingival healing have demonstrated a high level of consistency in the used in vivo translational model. The obtained results support the translation of the novel implant type in conjunction with the developed surgical workflow and placement protocol into further clinical investigation and use.

Ankle is the most common site of hardware removal, mainly performed within 12 months of the primary surgery. The prominence of the metallic hardware is a frequent cause of pain after fracture fixation. Over the last decade, the development of bioresorbable materials based on magnesium (Mg) has increased. Bioresorbable metals aim to avoid a second surgery for hardware removal. Methods Twenty patients with isolated, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fractures were treated with bioresorbable screws made of Mg, 0.45wt% calcium (Ca) and 0.45wt% zinc (Zn) (ZX00). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the presence of complications 6 and 12 months after surgery and the AOFAS scale after 12 months were reported. The functional outcomes were analysed through the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint with a standard goniometer. Degradation products and the bioresorbability of the screws were evaluated using plane radiographs. Results One patient was lost to follow-up. All patients were free of pain, no complications, shoe conflict or misalignement were reported after 12 months of follow-up. No Mg screws were surgically removed. An additional fixation of the distal fibula or the dorsal tibial fragment with conventional titanium implants (Ti) was performed in 17 patients. Within 12 months after primary refixation, 12 of these patients (71%) underwent a second surgery for Ti hardware removal. The mean AOFAS score was 89.8±7.1 and the difference between the treated and the non-treated site in the ROM of the talocrural joint was 2°±11° after 12 months. Radiolucent areas around the screws were attributed to degradation and did not affect clinical or functional outcomes. After one year, the Mg screw heads could not be detected in the plane radiographs of 17 patients which suggests that the majority of the screw head is degraded without introducing adverse reactions. Conclusions At 6 and 12 months, the bioresorbable Mg screws show excellent PROMs without complications or need for screw removal. The resorbability of the screw heads in most of the patients after one year could also provide an advantage over conventional bio-inert implants by avoiding related skin irritation due for instance to shoe conflict.

Bone preservation and primary regeneration is a daily challenge in the field of dental medicine. In recent years, bioresorbable metals based on magnesium (Mg) have been widely investigated due to their bone-like modulus of elasticity, their high biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and osteoconductive properties. Synthetic Mg-based biomaterials are promising candidates for bone regeneration in comparison with other currently available pure synthetic materials. Different alloys based on Mg were developed to fit clinical requirements. In parallel, advances in additive manufacturing offer the possibility to fabricate experimentally bioresorbable metallic porous scaffolds. This review describes the promising clinical results of resorbable Mg-based biomaterials for bone repair in osteosynthetic application and discusses the perspectives of use in oral bone regeneration.

Background: 3D printing is a rapidly developing technology in the healthcare industry and in dentistry. Its application clearly shows that this area of digital dentistry has potential for everyday usage across all fields, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and oral implantology. However, despite gaining ground, there is a lack of information about how specialists (dentists and dental technicians) use additive technology. Our research group aimed to investigate the impact of social media on additive manufacturing technology among dental specialists and their everyday usage of 3D printing. Methods: This paper investigated specialists’ everyday usage of 3D printers via an online survey (Google Forms). The survey questions aimed to discover the number of 3D printers used, the accessibility of the devices, the annual cost, and the design programs. Since specialists tend to build online communities on social media, we circulated our study questionnaire using our profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram platforms during our research. Results: A total of 120 responses were received from 20 countries, with the most significant numbers being from Hungary 23.7% (n = 27), the United States 18.4% (n = 21), and the United Kingdom 7.9% (n = 9). Most of the participants were dentists (n = 68) or dental technicians (n = 29), but some CAD/CAM specialists (n = 23) also completed our survey. The participants had an average of 3.8 years (±0.7) of experience in the 3D printing field, and owned a total of 405 printing devices (3.6 on average/person). Conclusions: The impact of social media on this research field is growing increasingly. Hence, we support specialists in joining virtual communities on professional platforms. This article intended to provide a practical overview, feedback, and direction for dentists interested in 3D printing technology. From our survey, we can conclude that additive technology is broadening dental applications and the services that we can provide for our patients.

Aims This study is a prospective, non-randomized trial for the treatment of fractures of the medial malleolus using lean, bioabsorbable, rare-earth element (REE)-free, magnesium (Mg)-based biodegradable screws in the adult skeleton. Methods A total of 20 patients with isolated, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fractures were recruited between July 2018 and October 2019. Fracture reduction was achieved through bioabsorbable Mg-based screws composed of pure Mg alloyed with zinc (Zn) and calcium (Ca) ( Mg-Zn0.45-Ca0.45, in wt.%; ZX00). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the presence of complications (adverse events) during follow-up (12 weeks) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The functional outcomes were analyzed through the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Fracture reduction and gas formation were assessed using several plane radiographs. Results The follow-up was performed after at least 12 weeks. The mean difference in ROM of the talocrural joint between the treated and the non-treated sites decreased from 39° (SD 12°) after two weeks to 8° (SD 11°) after 12 weeks (p ≤ 0.05). After 12 weeks, the mean AOFAS score was 92.5 points (SD 4.1). Blood analysis revealed that Mg and Ca were within a physiologically normal range. All ankle fractures were reduced and stabilized sufficiently by two Mg screws. A complete consolidation of all fractures was achieved. No loosening or breakage of screws was observed. Conclusion This first prospective clinical investigation of fracture reduction and fixation using lean, bioabsorbable, REE-free ZX00 screws showed excellent clinical and functional outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(8):477–483.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective case series was to evaluate single-piece zirconia implants restored with lithium disilicate CAD/CAM crowns through a long-term follow-up. Methods: In this trial, 20 one-piece zirconia implants were placed in 20 patients. Implants were restored (i) immediately with lithium disilicate CAD/CAM provisionals, and (ii) permanently four months after surgery. Patients were followed for 11 years. Clinical parameters and radiological measurements of the zirconia implants were assessed. For the statistical analysis, paired t-test was applied. Results: Four implants were counted as implant failure due to the loss of implant stability, resulting in a Kaplan–Meier survival rate of 80% up to 11 years. The mean bleeding on probing values were 19.1% (SD ± 13.1) and 18.2% (SD ± 17.6) 96 and 11 years after implant placement, respectively. The plaque index revealed a significant decrease over time (p &lt, 0.001) with a value between 25.9% (SD ± 5.7) and 12.6% (SD ± 10.0) at baseline and 11-years follow-up respectively. The marginal bone level revealed a significant decrease 4, 8, and 11 years after implant insertion (p = 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.027, respectively). Conclusions: Immediately loaded zirconia single-piece implants showed a suitable success rate in clinical and radiographic outcomes.