The minipig intraoral dental implant model: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives The objective of this report was to provide a review of the minipig intraoral dental implant model including a meta-analysis to estimate osseointegration and crestal bone remodeling. Methods A systematic review including PubMed and EMBASE databases through June 2021 was conducted. Two independent examiners screened titles/abstracts and selected full-text articles. Studies evaluating titanium dental implant osseointegration in native alveolar bone were included. A quality assessment of reporting was performed. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were produced for bone-implant contact (BIC), first BIC, and crestal bone level. Results 125 out of 249 full-text articles were reviewed, 55 original studies were included. Quality of reporting was generally low, omissions included animal characteristics, examiner masking/calibration, and sample size calculation. The typical minipig model protocol included surgical extraction of the mandibular premolars and first molar, 12±4 wks post-extraction healing, placement of three narrow regular length dental implants per jaw quadrant, submerged implant healing and 8 wks of osseointegration. Approximately 90% of studies reported undecalcified incandescent light microscopy histometrics. Overall, mean BIC was 59.88% (95%CI: 57.43–62.33). BIC increased significantly over time (p 90%, p<0.001). Conclusions The minipig intraoral dental implant model appears to effectively demonstrate osseointegration and alveolar bone remodeling similar to that observed in humans and canine models

Screening of Hydroxyapatite Biomaterials for Alveolar Augmentation Using a Rat Calvaria Critical-Size Defect Model: Bone Formation/Maturation and Biomaterials Resolution

Background: Natural (bovine-/equine-/porcine-derived) or synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterials appear to be the preferred technologies among clinicians for bone augmentation procedures in preparation for implant dentistry. The aim of this study was to screen candidate HA biomaterials intended for alveolar ridge augmentation relative to their potential to support local bone formation/maturation and to assess biomaterial resorption using a routine critical-size rat calvaria defect model. Methods: Eighty adult male Sprague Dawley outbred rats obtained from a approved-breeder, randomized into groups of ten, were used. The calvaria defects (ø8 mm) either received sham surgery (empty control), Bio-Oss (bovine HA/reference control), or candidate biomaterials including bovine HA (Cerabone, DirectOss, 403Z013), and bovine (403Z014) or synthetic HA/ß-TCP (Reprobone, Ceraball) constructs. An 8 wk healing interval was used to capture the biomaterials’ resolution. Results: All biomaterials displayed biocompatibility. Strict HA biomaterials showed limited, if any, signs of biodegradation/resorption, with the biomaterial area fraction ranging from 22% to 42%. Synthetic HA/ß-TCP constructs showed limited evidence of biodegradation/erosion (biomaterial area fraction ≈30%). Mean linear defect closure in the sham-surgery control approximated 40%. Mean linear defect closure for the Bio-Oss reference control approximated 18% compared with 15–35% for the candidate biomaterials without significant differences between the controls and candidate biomaterials. Conclusions: None of the candidate HA biomaterials supported local bone formation/maturation beyond the native regenerative potential of this rodent model, pointing to their limitations for regenerative procedures. Biocompatibility and biomaterial dimensional stability could suggest their potential utility as long-term defect fillers

A descriptive tissue evaluation at maxillary interradicular sites: Implications for orthodontic mini-implant placement

Few studies have evaluated interradicular anatomy for hard and soft tissue thickness. Because interradicular sites are common regions for mini-implant placement for orthodontic anchorage, the purpose of this study was to provide a guideline to indicate the best location for mini-implants as it relates to the thickness of cortical bone and soft tissue, and to the height of the attached gingival field. CT images from 15 men and 15 women (mean age 27 years, range 23-35 years) were used to evaluate the buccal interradicular cortical bone thickness from and mesial to the central incisor to the 1st molar. To record soft tissue depth at the site of assessment for cortical bone thickness, the mucosa was pierced with a #15 endodontic K-file until the attached rubber stop rested on the mucosa. The height of attached gingiva was measured at the mid-aspect of each tooth using a caliper. There were no significant differences in cortical bone thickness within interradicular sites except for the 2nd premolar/1st molar site. There were also no significant differences in soft tissue thickness within interradicular sites except for the lateral incisor/canine and 2nd premolar/1st molar sites. The height of attached gingiva was greater in the anterior compared to the posterior region and was shortest in the premolar region. Given the limits of this study, mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage may be well placed with equivalent bone-implant contact anywhere within the zone of attached gingiva up to 6 mm apical to the alveolar crest with adequate interradicular space

Screening of Hydroxyapatite Biomaterials for Alveolar Augmentation Using a Rat Calvaria Critical-Size Defect Model: Bone Formation/Maturation and Biomaterials Resolution

Background: Natural (bovine-/equine-/porcine-derived) or synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterials appear to be the preferred technologies among clinicians for bone augmentation procedures in preparation for implant dentistry. The aim of this study was to screen candidate HA biomaterials intended for alveolar ridge augmentation relative to their potential to support local bone formation/maturation and to assess biomaterial resorption using a routine critical-size rat calvaria defect model. Methods: Eighty adult male Sprague Dawley outbred rats obtained from a approved-breeder, randomized into groups of ten, were used. The calvaria defects (&oslash;8 mm) either received sham surgery (empty control), Bio-Oss (bovine HA/reference control), or candidate biomaterials including bovine HA (Cerabone, DirectOss, 403Z013), and bovine (403Z014) or synthetic HA/&szlig;-TCP (Reprobone, Ceraball) constructs. An 8 wk healing interval was used to capture the biomaterials&rsquo; resolution. Results: All biomaterials displayed biocompatibility. Strict HA biomaterials showed limited, if any, signs of biodegradation/resorption, with the biomaterial area fraction ranging from 22% to 42%. Synthetic HA/&szlig;-TCP constructs showed limited evidence of biodegradation/erosion (biomaterial area fraction &asymp;30%). Mean linear defect closure in the sham-surgery control approximated 40%. Mean linear defect closure for the Bio-Oss reference control approximated 18% compared with 15&ndash;35% for the candidate biomaterials without significant differences between the controls and candidate biomaterials. Conclusions: None of the candidate HA biomaterials supported local bone formation/maturation beyond the native regenerative potential of this rodent model, pointing to their limitations for regenerative procedures. Biocompatibility and biomaterial dimensional stability could suggest their potential utility as long-term defect fillers