Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767). This special issue belongs to the section "Dental Implantology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2025) | Viewed by 9675

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Interests: maxillofacial surgery; advanced implantology; periodontology; peri-implantitis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in dental implantology continue to revolutionize oral rehabilitation, offering patients functional and esthetic solutions to tooth loss. Innovations in implant materials, surgical techniques, and post-operative management have advanced the field, yet challenges persist in ensuring predictable outcomes and long-term success.

This Special Issue, “Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology”, seeks to highlight cutting-edge research and practical insights into key aspects of implantology. Topics of interest include advancements in osseointegration, biomaterials, autologous blood-derived products, and enhanced approaches to guided bone regeneration and bone augmentation. Contributions addressing sinus elevation techniques, peri-implantitis prevention and treatment, soft tissue management, and strategies to mitigate implant failures are highly encouraged. Furthermore, we welcome studies focusing on surgical or non-surgical salvage techniques, providing valuable insights into the management of complications in dental implantology.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and scholars to contribute original research, reviews, and other papers that delve into these themes, offering innovative perspectives and addressing current challenges in the field.

Together, let us pave the way for improved patient care and sustained success in dental implantology.

Dr. Devorah Schwartz-Arad
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • osseointegration
  • biomaterials in implantology
  • guided bone regeneration
  • sinus elevation
  • surgical complications
  • salvage techniques
  • peri-implantitis
  • implant failures
  • systemic influences
  • soft tissue management
  • autologous blood-derived products

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 7845 KB  
Article
Sinus Lift with Collagenated Porcine Xenograft in Severely Atrophic Posterior Maxillae: Case Series with Histologic Correlation and Long-Term Outcomes
by Alexandru Spînu, Felicia Manole, Alexandru Burcea, Cristina-Crenguţa Albu, Lavinia-Florica Mărcuț, Roxana Daniela Brata, Alexia Manole and Claudia Florina Bogdan-Andreescu
Dent. J. 2025, 13(12), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13120584 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Background: Maxillary sinus floor augmentation is widely used to enable implant placement in the atrophic posterior maxilla, yet comparative data for porcine-derived xenografts remain limited. Objective: To evaluate long-term bone regeneration and implant outcomes following sinus augmentation using a collagenated porcine xenograft. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Maxillary sinus floor augmentation is widely used to enable implant placement in the atrophic posterior maxilla, yet comparative data for porcine-derived xenografts remain limited. Objective: To evaluate long-term bone regeneration and implant outcomes following sinus augmentation using a collagenated porcine xenograft. Methods: This paper reports a retrospective case series of three partially edentulous patients (aged 46–56 years) who underwent lateral sinus augmentation with a small-particle collagenated porcine xenograft (THE Graft™, Purgo Biologics, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea) and staged implant placement. In one case, a controlled perforation of the Schneiderian membrane was performed to access and remove a sinus mucocele, followed by repair using a resorbable collagen membrane. Core biopsies were harvested at implant placement for histology (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson–Goldner) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Clinical outcomes included surgical events, vertical bone gain, marginal bone levels, and implant survival at long-term follow-up. Results: Healing was uneventful in all cases. Mean vertical bone gain was 12.0 mm (baseline 1.33 mm to 13.33 mm final). At a mean 46.8-month follow-up (range 38.3–52.2 months), 100% of implants were functional without failure; marginal bone loss remained < 1 mm during the first year and was stable thereafter. Histology at 3.7, 4.7, and 7.5 months showed vascularized new trabecular bone intimately contacting residual xenograft particles (new bone 20–30%, residual biomaterial 30–40%, connective tissue 30–50%). TRAP-positive multinucleated giant cells at 7.5 months indicated ongoing biomaterial degradation without severe inflammatory reactions. Conclusions: Within the limits of a small case series, collagenated porcine xenograft supported predictable bone regeneration and stable long-term implant function after sinus floor elevation, with favorable histologic integration and gradual resorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology)
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15 pages, 1961 KB  
Article
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Sloped-Shoulder Implants in the Posterior Mandible: A Retrospective Study
by Guillem Esteve-Pardo, Javier Amigó-Bardají and Lino Esteve-Colomina
Dent. J. 2025, 13(10), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13100466 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the survival and marginal bone loss (MBL) of sloped-shoulder implants placed in the posterior mandible, and to explore the influence of both patient- and implant-related factors. Materials and Methods: All patients treated with sloped-shoulder-profile implants (Astra [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the survival and marginal bone loss (MBL) of sloped-shoulder implants placed in the posterior mandible, and to explore the influence of both patient- and implant-related factors. Materials and Methods: All patients treated with sloped-shoulder-profile implants (Astra Tech Implant System, Dentsply Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) in the posterior mandible between 2012 and 2023 at two private clinics were included. Implant survival was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier estimates. MBL was measured from prosthesis delivery (baseline radiograph) to the most recent available radiograph. Outcomes were compared across thresholds of 0, 0.5, and 1.5 mm, which were considered radiographic success criteria. According to the 2017 World Workshop, peri-implantitis was not diagnosed solely based on MBL. Associations with potential risk factors (periodontitis, bruxism, and smoking) were explored. The study was approved by a local ethics committee (PI 106/2023); informed consent was waived due to the retrospective design and anonymization of data. Results: A total of 43 patients with 48 implants were included, with a mean follow-up of 40.1 months. The cumulative survival rate was 93.7%, with all failures occurring before 24 months. Mean MBL at the mesial and distal aspects was 0.27 mm and 0.39 mm, respectively. In 82.2% of implants, MBL remained ≤0.5 mm at a mean follow-up of 44.2 months. No statistically significant associations were found between risk factors such as periodontitis, bruxism, or smoking and implant outcomes. Conclusions: Sloped-shoulder implants in the posterior mandible showed high survival and stable marginal bone levels over the medium term. Their design may simplify treatment in oblique ridges, potentially reducing the need for GBR procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology)
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10 pages, 1379 KB  
Article
Fatigue Behavior of Multi/Unit-Supported Dental Restorations: Implant Platform vs. Prosthetic Platform
by Eduardo Anitua, Mikel Armentia, Ernest Mallat and Beatriz Anitua
Dent. J. 2025, 13(8), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13080374 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1053
Abstract
The increasing popularity of Multi/Unit abutments in dental restorations is attributed to their clinical advantages, yet little is known about their mechanical behavior, particularly in terms of fatigue performance. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of Multi/Unit abutments with a [...] Read more.
The increasing popularity of Multi/Unit abutments in dental restorations is attributed to their clinical advantages, yet little is known about their mechanical behavior, particularly in terms of fatigue performance. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of Multi/Unit abutments with a focus on the impact of implant and prosthetic platform diameters on fatigue performance. Methods: Five dental restoration models were analyzed using Finite Element Analysis by incorporating implants of identical length and body diameter but varying implant platform size (3.5 and 4.1 mm) and prosthetic platform size (3.5, 4.1, and 5.5 mm). Mechanical stresses on critical sections of the screws were assessed under cyclic loads. Results: The results revealed that the implant platform diameter had minimal influence on the fatigue performance of the prosthetic screw, while a wider prosthetic platform significantly improved its mechanical behavior by reducing stress and allowing the use of larger screw metrics. These findings emphasize that the prosthetic platform diameter plays a crucial role in protecting the prosthetic screw, which is often the critical component in dental restorations that use Multi/Unit abutments. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of carefully selecting platform dimensions to optimize the mechanical performance and longevity of dental restorations utilizing Multi/Unit abutments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology)
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Review

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20 pages, 1017 KB  
Review
Biomaterials for Guided Tissue Regeneration and Guided Bone Regeneration: A Review
by Nathália Dantas Duarte, Paula Buzo Frigério, Gloria Estefania Amaya Chica, Roberta Okamoto, Rogério Leone Buchaim, Daniela Vieira Buchaim, Michel Reis Messora and João Paulo Mardegan Issa
Dent. J. 2025, 13(4), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13040179 - 21 Apr 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7041
Abstract
This review aims to provide an overview of the types of membranes, bone substitutes, and mucosal substitutes used for GTR and GBR and briefly explores recent innovations for tissue regeneration and their future perspectives. Since this is a narrative review, no systematic search, [...] Read more.
This review aims to provide an overview of the types of membranes, bone substitutes, and mucosal substitutes used for GTR and GBR and briefly explores recent innovations for tissue regeneration and their future perspectives. Since this is a narrative review, no systematic search, meta-analysis, or statistical analysis was conducted. Using biomaterials for GTR and GBR provides a reduction in postoperative morbidity, as it contributes to less invasive clinical procedures, serving as an alternative to autogenous grafts. Moreover, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews are essential for the evaluation of new biomaterials. These studies provide more robust evidence and help guide clinical practice in the selection of safer and more effective biomaterials, allowing for the personalization of treatment protocols for each patient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology)
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Other

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22 pages, 2698 KB  
Systematic Review
Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes for Intraoral (Palatal and Tuberosity) Soft Tissue Grafts in Root Coverage Procedures: A Systematic Review
by Suha Alyawar, Fatima Al Zahra, Eman Aljoghaiman, Faisal E. Aljofi, Adel S. Alagl and Marwa Madi
Dent. J. 2025, 13(12), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13120563 - 1 Dec 2025
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To systematically compare the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of soft tissue grafts harvested from the palate and tuberosity, in root coverage surgeries. The primary outcomes assessed were graft dimension, tissue thickness, and postoperative discomfort. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To systematically compare the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of soft tissue grafts harvested from the palate and tuberosity, in root coverage surgeries. The primary outcomes assessed were graft dimension, tissue thickness, and postoperative discomfort. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, OVID Medline, and Scopus databases, covering studies published till December 2023. Eligible studies included clinical studies and clinical trials involving medically fit adults who underwent intraoral soft tissue grafting for mucogingival procedures around teeth. A total of 1209 records were initially identified, with 13 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted and assessed for bias. Results: Graft dimension in terms of thickness was generally higher for tuberosity grafts (2.9 ± 0.5 mm) compared to palatal grafts (2.3 ± 0.6 mm). Tuberosity grafts demonstrate less volume changes in buccolingual thickness. One study reported decreased postoperative pain for tuberosity compared to palate donor sites. Risk of bias assessment using ROB 2 and ROBINS-I tools showed that most included studies exhibited low risk across key domains. Among randomized trials, two studies raised some concerns due to limitations in blinding and allocation concealment. Non-randomized studies showed a moderate risk primarily in confounding and outcome measurement, consistent with inherent observational design limitations. Conclusions: The palate remains a well-established and reliable source of soft tissue grafts. Limited evidence from a single short-term comparative clinical study suggests that tuberosity may offer potential advantages, such as greater graft thickness, reduced volume changes, and less postoperative discomfort. However, the comparative evidence between tuberosity and palatal donor sites is derived from a single short-term study and conclusions must therefore be interpreted with caution. Standardized clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these observations. Clinical Relevance: This review provides clinicians with a preliminary evidence-based perspective into the use of tuberosity as a donor site for soft tissue grafting, an area with limited published data, and highlights its potential to enhance patient outcomes and comfort in mucogingival surgery and emphasizing the need for further research in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Challenges in Dental Implantology)
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