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Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

A team of MIT chemical en- gineers has developed a new coating for implants that could help them better ad- here to the patient’s bone, pre- venting premature failure. The coating, which induces the body’s own cells to produce bone that fixes the implant in place, could also be used to help heal fractures and to improve dental implants, according to Hammond and lead author Ni- sarg Shah, a graduate student in Hammond’s lab. Artificial hips consist of a metal ball on a stem, connect- ing the pelvis and femur. The ball rotates within a plastic cup attached to the inside of the hip socket. Similarly, artificial knees consist of plates and a stem that enable movement of the femur and tibia. To secure the implant, surgeons use bone cement, a pol- ymer that resembles glass when hardened. In some cases, this cement ends up cracking and the implant detaches from the bone, causing chronic pain and loss of mobility for the patient. “Typically, in such a case, the implant is removed and re- placed, which causes tremen- dous secondary tissue loss in the patient that wouldn’t have happened if the implant hadn’t failed,” Shah says. “Our idea is to prevent failure by coating these implants with materials that can induce native bone that is gener- ated within the body. That bone grows into the implant and helps fix it in place.” The new coating consists of a very thin film, ranging from 100 nanometers to one micron, composed of layers of materials that help promote rapid bone growth. One of the materials, hydroxyapatite, is a natural com- ponent of bone, made of calcium and phosphate. This material at- tracts mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow and pro- vides an interface for the forma- tion of new bone. The other lay- er releases a growth factor that stimulates mesenchymal stem cells to transform into bone-pro- ducing cells called osteoblasts. Once the osteoblasts form, they start producing new bone to fill in the spaces surround- ing the implant, securing it to the existing bone and eliminat- ing the need for bone cement. Having healthy tissue in that space creates a stronger bond and greatly reduces the risk of bacterial infection around the implant. “When bone cement is used, dead space is created between the existing bone and implant stem, where there are no blood vessels. If bacteria colonise this space they would keep prolif- erating, as the immune system is unable to reach and destroy them. Such a coating would be helpful in preventing that from occurring,” Shah says. It takes at least two or three weeks for the bone to fill in and completely stabilise the im- plant, but a patient would still be able to walk and do physical therapy during this time, ac- cording to the researchers. The MIT team can control the thickness of its film and the amount of growth factor released by using a method called layer-by-layer assembly, in which the desired compo- nents are laid down one layer at a time until the desired thick- ness and drug composition are achieved. The researchers are now performing animal studies that have shown promising results: The coatings lead to rapid bone formation, locking the implants in place. DT New coating for implants could prevent premature failure I mplant System Fan- page provides a platform for users. Exchange mu- tual experiences, ask for tips from colleagues or find out about innovative concepts – now, the XiVE implant sys- tem makes this possible for its users on its own Facebook fan page. A centre stage of the XiVE fan page are all the topics around implantology: What new practical concepts are there? What new tips can col- leagues give for issues of pri- mary stability or immediate loading, for instance? These are only some of the aspects that interest practitioners and that they would like to dis- cuss. The new XiVE fan page provides a platform for just this purpose. You can share your own experience with the implant system – the XiVE Xperience – with colleagues on the fan page. And at the same time, you can discuss unique pa- tient cases, current scientific insights or exciting insights from your own everyday practice. In addition, there are photos and news from events and advanced train- ing sessions, along with vid- eos on the XiVE fan page that can be accessed by the users any time. The XiVE fan page is in German at www.face- book.com/xive.de, and in an English language version for international users of the implant system, at www.face- book.com/xiveXperience. DT XiVE - now on Facebook too A ccording to reports, Vox- elogix Corp, a seven-year- old US teeth-replacement company, has filed for bankrupt- cy protection in San Antonio. President of the corporation and dental specialist, Dr Stephen Schmitt, who replaces missing and damaged teeth, said the company had been “hurt” by the down economy in the last few years. As a result it “lacked the financial resources it needed to grow”. The company was part of the emerging field of digital dentist- ry that uses three dimensional models and other computer- designed aides to improve teeth replacement. While full replace- ment costs at Voxelogix started at about $40,000, the company said its treatment can result in lower costs compared to con- ventional dental methods. The report stated that Vox- elogix filed for bankruptcy pro- tection Tuesday under Chap- ter 11 of the bankruptcy code, meaning it can seek reorganisa- tion. Schmitt said he was uncer- tain, however, if it would return to business. DT Dental implant firm files for bankruptcy N obel Biocare has re- leased its new Product Catalogue 2012 with up-to-date content, illustra- tions and detailed product in- formation. The new Nobel Biocare Product Catalog 2012 is an informative and fundamental reference point for navigat- ing through Nobel Biocare’s comprehensive assortment of products and solutions. The updated catalogue allows for accurate and efficient or- dering of all Nobel Biocare’s implants, prefabricated and individualized prosthetics, and components for guided surgery. Highlights of the new product catalogue include: Recently launched products such as NobelClinician Soft- ware for digital diagnostics and treatment planning now also for Mac, NobelActive 3.0 for safe implant placement in areas with limited space, and NobelReplace Conical Con- nection and NobelReplace Platform Shift designed to optimize aesthetic out- come through enhanced soft tissue preservation while maintaining the benefits of the well-proven tapered im- plant body. DT Nobel Biocare Catalog 2012 available online Implant Tribune pages 12-13 Claudio Cacaci provides a case study Full arch reconstruction Implant Tribune pages16-18 Dr Armin Nedjet discusses the principles of Champions Keep it safe and simple Implant Tribune pages 19-22 Prof José Nart provides a case study Ridge preservation Implant Tribune