Cutting and Healing Time for Dental Implants
Topic: Dental and Teeth
Author: University of Gothenburg
Published: 2011/06/14 - Updated: 2019/04/01
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: Technology used to replace lost teeth with titanium dental implants could shorten the healing time for patients.
Introduction
The technology used to replace lost teeth with titanium dental implants could be improved. By studying the surface structure of dental implants not only at micro level but also at nano level, researchers at the University of Gothenburg; Sweden, have come up with a method that could shorten the healing time for patients.
Main Item
"Increasing the active surface at nano level and changing the conductivity of the implant allows us to affect the body's own biomechanics and speed up the healing of the implant," says Johanna Loberg at the University of Gothenburg's Department of Chemistry.
"This would reduce the discomfort for patients and makes for a better quality of life during the healing process."
Dental implants have been used to replace lost teeth for more than 40 years now.
Per-Ingvar Branemark, who was recently awarded the prestigious European Inventor Award, was the first person to realize that titanium was very body-friendly and could be implanted into bone without being rejected.
Titanium is covered with a thin layer of naturally formed oxide and it is this oxide's properties that determine how well an implant fuses with the bone.
It became clear at an early point that a rough surface was better than a smooth one, and the surface of today's implants is often characterized by different levels of roughness, from the thread to the superimposed nano-structures.
Anchoring the implant in the bone exerts a mechanical influence on the bone tissue known as bio-mechanical stimulation, and this facilitates the formation of new bone.
As the topography (roughness) of the surface is important for the formation of new bone, it is essential to be able to measure and describe the surface appearance in detail. But roughness is not the only property that affects healing.
Johanna Loberg has come up with a method that describes the implant's topography from micrometer to nanometer scale and allows theoretical estimations of anchoring in the bone by different surface topographies.
The method can be used in the development of new dental implants to optimize the properties for increased bone formation and healing.
She has also studied the oxide's conductivity, and the results show that a slightly higher conductivity results in a better cell response and earlier deposition of minerals that are important for bone formation.
The results are inline with animal studies and clinical trials of the commercial implant OsseoSpeed (Astra Tech AB), which show a slightly higher conductivity for the oxide and also an exchange between hydroxide and fluoride on the surface of the oxide. Surfaces with a well-defined nano-structure have a larger active area and respond quickly to the deposition of bone-forming minerals.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg and Astra Tech AB in Malndal, and will be further evaluated in follow-up studies.
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Gothenburg, and published on 2011/06/14 (Edit Update: 2019/04/01), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, University of Gothenburg can be contacted at . NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Dentists Report Patients Often Stoned at Dental Appointments - Half of dentists say patients are high at dental appointments warning marijuana use can affect oral health and treatment.
2 - EPA Rejects Anti-Fluoridation Group's Request - ADA commends the Environmental Protection Agency for its decision to deny request to ban community water fluoridation.
3 - When to Use Prophylaxis Antibiotic for Dental Work - For some people the use of antibiotic prophylaxis may be recommended by your dentist to prevent infection.
4 - Dental Care for Baby Teeth is Very Important - Countering common mis-perception that dental care for baby teeth is not important because they fall out anyway.
5 - Strawberries and Baking Soda for Teeth Whitening - Research shows strawberry and baking soda formula produces no teeth whitening effect, other than removing plaque accumulation.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): University of Gothenburg. (2011, June 14 - Last revised: 2019, April 1). Cutting and Healing Time for Dental Implants. Disabled World. Retrieved October 15, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/oral/dental/implant-healing.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/oral/dental/implant-healing.php">Cutting and Healing Time for Dental Implants</a>: Technology used to replace lost teeth with titanium dental implants could shorten the healing time for patients.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.