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Applied Research in Dental Implantology and Prosthodontics—2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Dentistry and Oral Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 1467

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Prosthodontics, Study of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: clinical practice guidelines; evidence-based dentistry; prosthodontics; implant therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: prosthodontics; implant-prosthetic therapy; clinical practice; gnathology; sport dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applying research evidence in clinical dental practice is often challenging. Prioritizing future research requires relying on the available evidence and overcoming the limitations of previous research, which forms the basis of the evidence-based research approach.

Answering clinical questions that the available research has not addressed provides the basis for the development of high-quality clinical practice guidelines. This, in turn, leads to the effective application of research evidence and bridges the research–practice gap.

This Special Issue focuses on applied research in dental implantology and prosthodontics, including the identification of clinical questions whose evidence is lacking, weak, contradictory or inconsistent with the available guidelines. Emphasis is placed on applying evidence in clinical practice. Therefore, all studies on implant-prosthodontic therapy that may bring additional value to the available body of evidence will be considered for publication.

Studies assessing specific practices, experiences, resource availability, salivary biomarkers, biotoxicity, new approaches or technologies and effectiveness, balancing benefit and harm or cost and feasibility of an intervention or discussing patient perspectives on relevant topics in implant-prosthodontic therapy are welcome.

Dr. Tina Poklepović Peričić
Dr. Nikolina Lešić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dental medicine
  • dental implant therapy
  • prosthodontics
  • clinical practice guidelines
  • local needs
  • effectiveness
  • benefits versus harm
  • experiences
  • prospective
  • retrospective
  • cross-sectional
  • feasibility

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 913 KB  
Article
A Comparison of Polyethylene and Polyurethane Blocks on the Stability of Dental Implants: An In Vitro Study
by İbrahim Doğru and Levent Ciğerim
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 4303; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16094303 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 216
Abstract
The long-term success of dental implants is significantly influenced by primary stability, which is commonly assessed through insertion torque (IT) and removal torque (RT) measurements in vitro. While polyurethane (PU) blocks are accepted by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as [...] Read more.
The long-term success of dental implants is significantly influenced by primary stability, which is commonly assessed through insertion torque (IT) and removal torque (RT) measurements in vitro. While polyurethane (PU) blocks are accepted by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as the standard bone analog material for biomechanical testing, the use of polyethylene (PE) as a bone model material for dental implant research remains limited and not well established. This operator-blinded, in vitro study compared the IT and RT values of dental implants placed in PE and PU blocks of identical density (60 pounds per cubic foot [pcf]; 0.96 g/cm3). A total of 60 tapered dental implants (4.2 × 12 mm, RBM surface, platform switching) were placed into PE (n = 30) and PU (n = 30) blocks by a calibrated operator blinded to the material type. Implant sockets were prepared by an independent surgeon following the manufacturer’s drilling protocol. IT and RT values were recorded using a physiodispenser with torque measurement capability (5–80 N·cm). Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test (α = 0.05), with Mann–Whitney U tests reported as a sensitivity analysis for non-normally distributed variables. No statistically significant difference was observed in IT between PE and PU groups (58.50 ± 8.42 vs. 58.17 ± 9.60 N·cm; p = 0.887; Cohen’s d = 0.04; 95% CI of mean difference: −4.33 to 5.00 N·cm). However, RT was significantly higher in the PU group compared to the PE group (71.17 ± 7.15 vs. 64.33 ± 9.17 N·cm; p = 0.002; Cohen’s d = 0.83; 95% CI: −11.08 to −2.58 N·cm; Mann–Whitney U sensitivity analysis p = 0.004). Under the specific high-density (60 pcf) conditions tested, the absence of a statistically significant IT difference does not constitute formal evidence of equivalence or non-inferiority, and the significantly higher RT in PU indicates that PE and PU are not interchangeable bone analogs. Further studies across a range of densities, implant macrogeometries, and using formal equivalence testing are required before PE can be considered for in vitro dental implant stability research. Full article
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11 pages, 2022 KB  
Article
In Vitro Micro-CT Assessment of a Novel Implant–Abutment Connection Under Static and Cyclic Loading
by Marco Tallarico, Dario Melodia, Lukasz Zadrozny, Carlotta Cacciò, Silvio Mario Meloni, Aurea Immacolata Lumbau, Santo Catapano, Riccardo Baldari, Rafał Molak, Jakub Jaroszewicz and Gabriele Cervino
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052394 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 313
Abstract
The implant–abutment connection (IAC) is a critical determinant of the mechanical and biological performance of dental implants. Connection design and insertion torque may influence fatigue resistance, micromovement, and microgap formation, thereby affecting long-term implant success. This in vitro study evaluated a novel conical [...] Read more.
The implant–abutment connection (IAC) is a critical determinant of the mechanical and biological performance of dental implants. Connection design and insertion torque may influence fatigue resistance, micromovement, and microgap formation, thereby affecting long-term implant success. This in vitro study evaluated a novel conical implant–abutment connection under controlled mechanical loading conditions. Methods: A sequential in vitro protocol was applied. Mechanical testing was conducted according to ISO 14801:2016 and included static and cyclic loading tests of the KS implant system inserted at two different torque values (35 Ncm and 70 Ncm). High-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was performed after mechanical loading to evaluate implant–abutment interface integrity, microstructural alterations, and microgap behavior. Results: Static and cyclic loading tests revealed no observable differences between implants inserted at 35 Ncm and 70 Ncm, with all specimens completing the loading protocols without mechanical failure. Micro-CT analysis showed no evidence of microfractures, permanent deformation, or clinically relevant alterations at the implant–abutment interface. A stable and well-sealed connection was observed for both torque values following mechanical loading. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the investigated conical implant–abutment connection demonstrated stable mechanical performance and preserved interface integrity after static and cyclic loading, regardless of whether implants were placed at 35 Ncm or 70 Ncm. These findings indicate that, under the present experimental conditions, both torque levels were associated with comparable structural integrity and mechanical stability of the investigated implant–abutment connection. This study should be interpreted as a preliminary experimental investigation, designed to provide descriptive and mechanistic insights rather than statistically powered comparative conclusions. Further long-term clinical trials are required to confirm these preliminary results. Full article
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13 pages, 810 KB  
Article
Dentists’ Perspectives on Defining Failure in Implant-Prosthodontic Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Mare Kovic, Ajka Pribisalic, Josko Viskic, Eva Bilandzic, Anamarija Tokic, Marija Ana Perko and Tina Poklepovic Pericic
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010102 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 703
Abstract
Aim: to investigate the criteria to define implant–prosthodontic therapy failure for dentists in Croatia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire among dentists in Croatia. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and sections about experience and criteria for defining outcomes [...] Read more.
Aim: to investigate the criteria to define implant–prosthodontic therapy failure for dentists in Croatia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire among dentists in Croatia. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and sections about experience and criteria for defining outcomes in implant–prosthodontic therapy to assess dentists’ perspectives towards implant failures, failure of prosthodontic supra-structures, potential complications and follow-up time. Descriptive statistics were used and differences were assessed using Chi-squared statistics. Results: Overall, 198 dentists completed the questionnaire, most of whom were general practitioners (81.8%), and mostly females (68.2%). 63.1% reported having worked with implants in their everyday practice. Most dentists (71.2%) have encountered implant failure, and more than half (57.1%) experienced a failed prosthodontic supra-structure. However, their definitions of implant failure or success differed significantly. Criteria for failure from 1986 were considered among 47% dentists, while 53% considered the implant to be successful if it remained in situ over a follow-up period. The three postoperative complications which patients should be warned about included pain, swelling and periimplantitis. Follow-up at six months and at five years were both chosen as appropriate by approximately the same number of dentists. Conclusions: Criteria to define implant failure differed between general practitioners and specialists, while definitions of implant success correlated with experience. The variability observed underscores the need for standardized education and unified assessment criteria to improve clinical consistency and communication. Full article
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