Search Results (1,403)

Dental implant components are typically fabricated using subtractive manufacturing, often involving metal materials that can be costly, inefficient, and time-consuming. This study explores the use of additive manufacturing (AM) with zirconia for dental implant overdenture bars, focusing on mechanical performance, stress distribution, and fit. Solid and lattice-structured bars were designed in Fusion 360 and produced using LithaCon 210 3Y-TZP zirconia (Lithoz GmbH, Vienna, Austria) on a CeraFab 8500 printer. Post-processing included cleaning, debinding, and sintering. A 3D-printed denture was also fabricated to evaluate fit. Thermography and optical imaging were used to assess adaptation. Custom fixtures were developed for flexural testing, and fracture loads were recorded to calculate stress distribution using finite element analysis (ANSYS R2025). The FEA model assumed isotropic, homogeneous, linear-elastic material behavior. Bars were torqued to 15 Ncm on implant analogs. The average fracture loads were 1.2240 kN (solid, n = 12) and 1.1132 kN (lattice, n = 5), with corresponding stress values of 147 MPa and 143 MPa, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed (p = 0.578; α = 0.05). The fracture occurred near high-stress regions at fixture support points. All bars demonstrated a clinically acceptable fit on the model; however, further validation and clinical evaluation are still needed. Additively manufactured zirconia bars, including lattice structures, show promise as alternatives to conventional superstructures, potentially offering reduced material use and faster production without compromising mechanical performance. Full article

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer which, due to its very high mechanical properties and high chemical resistance, has found application in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, food and medical (biomedical engineering) industries. Owing to the use of additive technologies, particularly the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method, this material is the most widely used plastic to produce skull reconstruction implants, parts of dental implants and orthopedic implants, including spinal, knee and hip implants. PEEK enables the creation of personalized implants, which not only have greater elasticity compared to implants made of metal alloys but also resemble the physical properties of the cortical layer of human bone in terms of their mechanical properties. Therefore, the aim of this article is to characterize polyether ether ketone as an alternative material used in the manufacturing of implants in orthopedics and dentistry. Full article

Titanium–aluminum–vanadium (Ti6Al4V) is a material chosen for spine, orthopedic, and dental implants due to its combination of desirable mechanical and biological properties. Lasers have been used to modify metal surfaces, enabling the generation of a surface on Ti6Al4V with distinct micro- and nano-scale structures. Studies indicate that topography with micro/nano features of osteoclast resorption pits causes bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and osteoprogenitor cells to favor differentiation into an osteoblastic phenotype. This study examined whether the biological response of human MSCs to Ti6Al4V surfaces is sensitive to laser treatment-controlled micro/nano-topography. First, 15 mm diameter Ti6Al4V discs (Spine Wave Inc., Shelton, CT, USA) were either machined (M) or additively manufactured (AM). Surface treatments included no laser treatment (NT), nanosecond laser (Ns), femtosecond laser (Fs), or nanosecond followed by femtosecond laser (Ns+Fs). Surface wettability, roughness, and surface chemistry were determined using sessile drop contact angle, laser confocal microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human MSCs were cultured in growth media on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) or test surfaces. On day 7, the levels of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF) in the conditioned media were measured. M NT, Fs, and Ns+Fs surfaces were hydrophilic; Ns was hydrophobic. AM NT and Fs surfaces were hydrophilic; AM Ns and Ns+Fs were hydrophobic. Roughness (Sa and Sz) increased after Ns and Ns+Fs treatment for both M and AM disks. All surfaces primarily consisted of oxygen, titanium, and carbon; Fs had increased levels of aluminum for both M and AM. SEM images showed that M NT discs had a smooth surface, whereas AM surfaces appeared rough at a higher magnification. Fs surfaces had a similar morphology to their respective NT disc at low magnification, but higher magnification revealed nano-scale bumps not seen on NT surfaces. AM Fs surfaces also had regular interval ridges that were not seen on non-femto laser-ablated surfaces. Surface roughness was increased on M and AM Ns and Ns+Fs disks compared to NT and Fs disks. OCN was enhanced, and DNA was reduced on Ns and Ns+Fs, with no difference between them. OPN, OPG, and VEGF levels for laser-treated M surfaces were unchanged compared to NT, apart from an increase in OPG on Fs. MSCs grown on AM Ns and Ns+Fs surfaces had increased levels of OCN per DNA. These results indicate that MSCs cultured on AM Ns and AM Ns+Fs surfaces, which exhibited unique roughness at the microscale and nanoscale, had enhanced differentiation to an osteoblastic phenotype. The laser treatments of the surface mediated this enhancement of MSC differentiation and warrant further clinical investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Growth prediction may be used by the clinical orthodontist in growing individuals for diagnostic purposes and for treatment planning. This process appraises chronological age and determines the degree of skeletal maturity to calculate residual growth. In developmental deviations, overlooking such diagnostic details might culminate in erroneous conclusions, unstable outcomes, recurrence, and treatment failure. The present review aims to systematically present and explain the available means for predicting growth in humans. Traditional, long-known, popular methods are discussed, and modern digital applications are described. Materials and methods: A search on PubMed and the gray literature up to May 2025 produced 69 eligible studies on future maxillofacial growth prediction without any orthodontic intervention. Results: Substantial variability exists in the studies on growth prediction. In young orthodontic patients, the study of the lateral cephalometric radiography and the subsequent calculation of planes and angles remain questionable for diagnosis and treatment planning. Skeletal age assessment is readily accomplished with X-rays of the cervical vertebrae and the hand–wrist region. Computer software is being implemented to improve the reliability of classic methodologies. Metal implants have been used in seminal growth studies. Biochemical methods and electromyography have been suggested for clinical prediction and for research purposes. Conclusions: In young patients, it would be of importance to reach conclusions on future growth with minimal distress to the individual and, also, reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. Nevertheless, the potential for comprehensive prediction is still largely lacking. It could be accomplished in the future by combining established methods with digital technology. Full article

This narrative review explores the role of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies in the production of dental implants, focusing on materials and key AM methods. The study discusses several materials used in implant fabrication, including porous titanium, trabecular tantalum, zirconium dioxide, polymers, and composite materials. These materials are evaluated for their mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and suitability for AM processes. Additionally, the review examines the main AM technologies used in dental implant production, such as selective laser melting (SLM), electron beam melting (EBM), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). These technologies are compared based on their accuracy, material limitations, customization potential, and applicability in dental practice. The final section presents a data source analysis of the Web of Science and Scopus databases, based on keyword searches. The analysis evaluates the research trends using three criteria: publication category, document type, and year of publication. This provides an insight into the evolution and current trends in the field of additive manufacturing for dental implants. The findings highlight the growing importance of AM technologies in producing customized and efficient dental implants. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the long-term clinical performance of full-arch fixed restorations made of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) supported by four ultra-short implants (4.0 × 5.0 mm) in patients with edentulous, atrophic mandibles. Methods: Ten patients were treated at Sapienza University of Rome and monitored over a 10-year period. Each case involved the placement of four plateau-design implants with a pure conometric connection and a calcium phosphate-treated surface. The final prostheses were fabricated using CAD/CAM-milled Trinia^® fiber-reinforced composite frameworks. Clinical parameters included implant and prosthesis survival, marginal bone level (MBL), peri-implant probing depth (PPD), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Results: Implant and prosthesis survival reached 100% over the 10-year follow-up. MBL data showed a minor bone gain of approximately 0.11 mm per 5 years (p < 0.0001). PPD remained stable under 3 mm, with a minimal increase of 0.16 mm over the same period (p < 0.0001). PROMs reflected sustained high patient satisfaction. No technical complications, such as chipping or framework fracture, were observed. Conclusions: Rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible with ultra-short implants and metal-free FRC prostheses proved to be a minimally invasive and long-lasting treatment option. The 10-year follow-up confirmed excellent implant and prosthetic outcomes, favorable peri-implant tissue health, and strong patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these encouraging results and strengthen the clinical evidence. Full article

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an advanced additive manufacturing technology that is gaining increasing interest for biomedical implants because it can produce dense, patient-specific metallic components with controlled microstructures. This study investigated the LPBF fabrication of 316L stainless steel, which is widely used in orthopedic and dental implants, and examined the effects of laser power and scanning speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties relevant to biomedical applications. The study achieved 99.97% density and refined columnar and cellular austenitic grains, with optimized molten pool morphology. The optimal LPBF parameters, 190 W laser power and 700 mm/s, produced a tensile strength of 762.83 MPa and hardness of 253.07 HV_0.2, which exceeded the values of conventional cast 316L stainless steel. These results demonstrated the potential of optimized LPBF 316L stainless steel for functional biomedical applications that require high mechanical integrity and biocompatibility. Full article

Background/Objectives: The growing demand for biocompatible and fluoride-free alternatives in oral care has led to the development of formulations containing nano-hydroxyapatite (nanoHAP). This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of a novel mouthwash containing nanoHAP, zinc lactate, D-panthenol, licorice extract, and cetylpyridinium chloride, with particular focus on its efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and its biofilm on various dental materials. Methods: The antimicrobial activities of the mouthwash KWT0000 and control product ELM were assessed via minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida fungi. Antibiofilm activity was evaluated using fluorescence and digital microscopy following 1-h exposure to biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The efficacy was compared across multiple dental materials, including titanium, zirconia, and PMMA. Antioxidant capacity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, and anti-inflammatory potential via hyaluronidase inhibition. Results: KWT0000 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans (MICs: 0.2–1.6%) and moderate activity against Gram-negative strains. Fluorescence imaging revealed significant biofilm disruption and bacterial death after 1 h. On metallic surfaces, especially polished titanium and zirconia, KWT0000 reduced S. aureus biofilm density considerably. The formulation also demonstrated superior antioxidant (55.33 ± 3.34%) and anti-inflammatory (23.33 ± 3.67%) activity compared to a fluoride-based comparator. Conclusions: The tested nanoHAP-based mouthwash shows promising potential in antimicrobial and antibiofilm oral care, particularly for patients with dental implants. Its multifunctional effects may support not only plaque control but also soft tissue health. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a transformative technology in dentistry, enabling the production of patient-specific dental applications with reduced costs and fabrication times. Despite the growth of applications, a consolidated understanding of current 3D printing technologies, materials, and performance in dental settings remains fragmented. Here, we perform a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA protocol, retrieving 19 closely related primary studies. The evidence is synthesized across three axes: application domain, AM technology, and critical quality parameters. Dental restorations, prosthetics, crowns, and implants are the most common applications, while fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, digital light processing, selective laser sintering, and laser-directed energy deposition are the most used technologies. AM materials include polymers, metals, and emerging biomaterials. Key quality determinants include dimensional accuracy, wear and corrosion resistance, and photosensitivity. Notably, biocompatibility and cytotoxicity remain underexplored yet critical factors for ensuring long-term clinical safety. The evidence also suggests a lack of in vivo studies, insufficient tribological and microbiological testing, including limited data degradation pathways of AM materials under oral conditions. Understanding that there are disconnects between the realization of the clinical and the economic benefits of 3D printing in dentistry, future research requires standardized testing frameworks and long-term biocompatibility validation. Full article

The research presented in this paper is based on the need for personalized medical implants, whose serial production is impossible, so the need for production process adjustments is inevitable. Conventional production technologies usually set geometrical limitations and generate a lot of waste material, which leads to great expenses, especially when the material used for production is an expensive Ti alloy. Additive technologies offer the possibility to produce a product almost without waste material and geometrical limitations. Nevertheless, the methods developed for additive production using metal powder are not significantly used in biomedicine because there is insufficient data published regarding the properties of additively produced parts, especially from the fatigue and fracture standpoint. The aim of this research is the experimental determination of fracture mechanics properties of additively produced parts and their comparison with the properties of parts produced by conventional technologies. Drawing is the first production process in the comparison, and the second one is selective laser melting (SLM). The Ti-alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb, used for medical implants, was selected for this research. Experimental testing was performed in order to determine ΔK_th fracture mechanics parameters and resistance curves according to ASTM E1820. Test specimen dimensioning and the experiments were carried out according to the respective standards. For the drawn test specimen, the value obtained was ΔK_th = 3.84 MPam^0.5, and the fracture toughness was K_c = 84 MPam^0.5, while for SLM produced test specimens the values were ΔK_th = 4.53 MPam^0.5, and K_c = 21.9 MPam^0.5. Full article

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of heat and surface treatment on the physicochemical properties of samples produced using Direct Metal Sintering incremental technology from Ti64ELI titanium powder. Two groups of samples were selected for the study: sandblasted and mechanically polished samples. Each group consisted of samples in the initial state and after heat treatment carried out at temperatures of 800 °C, 910 °C, and 1020 °C. The article presents the results of microscopic metallographic observations, wettability and surface topography, hardness, and resistance to pitting corrosion in Ringer’s solution, together with microscopic evaluation of the surfaces before and after testing. Based on the test results, both heat and surface treatments were found to alter the functional properties of the printed samples. All the tested samples show hydrophilic properties. Heat treatment at 1020 °C produces the best resistance to pitting corrosion. This information is important when selecting the mechanical properties of the biomaterial and the physicochemical properties of the surface for a specific type of stabilizer. The choice of appropriate heat treatment and surface treatment of the implant will also depend on the length of time the implant remains in the body. Full article

Polymeric composite thin films have emerged as promising antimicrobial materials, particularly in response to rising antibiotic resistance. This review highlights the development and application of such films produced by laser-based deposition techniques, notably pulsed laser deposition and matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation. These methods offer precise control over film composition, structure, and thickness, making them ideal for embedding antimicrobial agents such as metal nanoparticles, antibiotics, and natural compounds into polymeric matrices. The resulting composite coatings exhibit enhanced antimicrobial properties against a wide range of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains, by leveraging mechanisms such as ion release, reactive oxygen species generation, and membrane disruption. The review also discusses critical parameters influencing antimicrobial efficacy, including film morphology, composition, and substrate interactions. Applications include biomedical devices, implants, wound dressings, and surfaces in the healthcare and food industries. Full article

Biodegradable magnesium alloys have emerged as promising alternatives to permanent metallic implants due to their unique combination of mechanical compatibility with bone and complete resorption, addressing the persistent issues of stress shielding and secondary removal surgeries. This review critically examines the historical development of magnesium-based biomaterials, highlighting advances in alloy design, manufacturing processes, and surface engineering that now enable tailored degradation and improved clinical performance. Drawing on recent clinical and preclinical studies, we summarize improvements in corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility that have supported the clinical translation of magnesium alloys across a variety of orthopedic and emerging medical applications. However, challenges remain, including unpredictable in vivo degradation kinetics, limited long-term safety data, lack of standardized testing protocols, and ongoing regulatory uncertainties. We conclude that while magnesium-based biomaterials have advanced from experimental concepts to clinically validated solutions, further progress in personalized degradation control, real-time monitoring, and harmonized regulatory frameworks is needed to fully realize their transformative clinical potential. Full article

This work investigates the impact of an internal electric field on the annihilation characteristics of positrons implanted in a $180\left(10\right)\mathrm{nm}$ SiO₂ layer of a Metal-Oxide-Silicon (MOS) capacitor, using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). By varying the gate voltage, electric fields up to $1.72\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{cm}$ were applied. The measurements reveal a field-dependent suppression of positronium (Ps) formation by up to $64\%$, leading to an enhancement of free positron annihilation. The increase in free positrons suggests that vacancy clusters are the dominant defect type in the oxide layer. Additionally, drift towards the SiO₂/Si interface reveals not only larger void-like defects but also a distinct population of smaller traps that are less prominent when drifting to the Al/SiO₂ interface. In total, by combining positron drift with PALS, more detailed insights into the nature and spatial distribution of defects within the SiO₂ network and in particular near the SiO₂/Si interface are obtained. Full article

To improve implant osseointegration while preventing infection, we developed a strontium (Sr)-doped Ti₃C₂T_x MXene coating on titanium, aiming to synergistically enhance bone integration and antibacterial performance. MXene is a family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides/nitrides whose abundant surface terminations endow high hydrophilicity and bioactivity. The coating was fabricated via anodic electrophoretic deposition (40 V, 2 min) of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets, followed by SrCl₂ immersion to incorporate Sr²⁺. The coating morphology, phase composition, chemistry, hydrophilicity, mechanical stability, and Sr²⁺ release were characterized. In vitro bioactivity was assessed with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)—with respect to viability, proliferation, migration, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, and Alizarin Red S mineralization—while the antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) via live/dead staining, colony-forming-unit enumeration, and AlamarBlue assays. The Sr-doped MXene coating formed a uniform lamellar structure, lowered the water-contact angle to ~69°, and sustained Sr²⁺ release (0.36–1.37 ppm). Compared to undoped MXene, MXene/Sr enhanced BMSC proliferation on day 5, migration by 51%, ALP activity and mineralization by 47%, and reduced S. aureus viability by 49% within 24 h. Greater BMSCs activity accelerates early bone integration, whereas rapid bacterial suppression mitigates peri-implant infection—two critical requirements for implant success. Sr-doped Ti₃C₂T_x MXene thus offers a simple, dual-function surface-engineering strategy for dental and orthopedic implants. Full article