A Novel Strategy for Bone Integration and Regeneration: Case Studies.

Ultraviolet light treatment of dental implants immediately prior to placement, or photofunctionalization, is a novel clinical tool with the potential to improve implant therapy. Photofunctionalization improves the surface properties of titanium surfaces by removing hydrocarbons, regenerating hydrophilicity, and optimizing electrostatic properties. We photofunctionalized dental implants and titanium mesh (Ti mesh) in two complex clinical cases requiring simultaneous guided bone regeneration, sinus elevation, immediate implant placement into the extraction socket, and esthetic consideration. The use of photofunctionalized implants and Ti mesh facilitated more strategic and aggressive treatment planning and resulted in successful treatment outcomes with secure application of immediate and early loading protocols. In vitro, the number of attached osteoblasts and the level of alkaline phosphatase activity were substantially increased on photofunctionalized Ti mesh, providing validation of the enhanced osteoconductive properties of photofunctionalized Ti mesh. An overview of the principles of photofunctionalization and practical guidance on its clinical use are presented. The clinical cases discussed here, along with the suggested technical guidance and research data, suggest that photofunctionalization is a useful and effective tool for improving implant therapy by enabling novel avenues of treatment and overcoming common challenges in current implant dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]