| interview A revolution in dental implantology A revolution in dental implantology With INPERIO, the Spain-based manufacturing com- With INPERIO, the Spain-based manufacturing com- pany Nanoker Research is entering the ceramic pany Nanoker Research is entering the ceramic implant market with the goal of revolutionising implant market with the goal of revolutionising dental implantology. In order to achieve this, the dental implantology. In order to achieve this, the company utilises two specific materials: a bio- company utilises two specific materials: a bio- ceramic composite on the one hand and a specific ceramic composite on the one hand and a specific bacteriostatic bioglass coating on the other. In this in- bacteriostatic bioglass coating on the other. In this in- terview with ceramic implants, Lidia M. Goyos Ball, terview with ceramic implants, Lidia M. Goyos Ball, medical devices division manager at Nanoker, talks medical devices division manager at Nanoker, talks about the advantages of the company’s novel sys- about the advantages of the company’s novel sys- tem. tem. First of all, what type of implant is INPERIO? INPERIO is an all-ceramic monobloc dental INPERIO is an all-ceramic monobloc dental implant made of our outstanding bioceramic com- implant made of our outstanding bioceramic com- posite. Only the inner screws (prosthetic or accessory posite. Only the inner screws (prosthetic or accessory screws), which do not come into direct contact with the screws), which do not come into direct contact with the body or bodily fluids during their expected use, are me- body or bodily fluids during their expected use, are me- tallic (Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Grade 23). tallic (Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Grade 23). implants made implants made For INPERIO, you utilise bioceramic composite For INPERIO, you utilise bioceramic composite and a bacteriostatic bioglass coating. What is so and a bacteriostatic bioglass coating. What is so special about these materials? from Ti-6Al-4V currently Titanium Titanium from Ti-6Al-4V currently make up 86.2% of all implants. Although mechanically make up 86.2% of all implants. Although mechanically reliable, they present various drawbacks, such as poor reliable, they present various drawbacks, such as poor aesthetics, allergies, peri-implantitis and the release aesthetics, allergies, peri-implantitis and the release of complex metal alloy particles. Our bioceramic com- of complex metal alloy particles. Our bioceramic com- posite combines ceria-stabilised zirconia and alumina posite combines ceria-stabilised zirconia and alumina (Ce-TZP/Al) and is aesthetic by nature. This material’s (Ce-TZP/Al) and is aesthetic by nature. This material’s fracture toughness is superior to that of other ceramic fracture toughness is superior to that of other ceramic materials owing to its intrinsic reinforcement mech- materials owing to its intrinsic reinforcement mech- anism, associated with its phase transformation, called anism, associated with its phase transformation, called transformation toughening or stress-induced martensitic transformation toughening or stress-induced martensitic transformation. Also, this ceramic does not suffer from transformation. Also, this ceramic does not suffer from hydrothermal phase transformation or ageing, which hydrothermal phase transformation or ageing, which affects conventional yttria-stabilised zirconia (3Y-TZP). affects conventional yttria-stabilised zirconia (3Y-TZP). Moreover, Ce-TZP/Al exhibits some plastic deforma- Moreover, Ce-TZP/Al exhibits some plastic deforma- tion (ceramic ductility), a key feature in modern implant tion (ceramic ductility), a key feature in modern implant design. Beyond the well-proven preventive adhesion design. Beyond the well-proven preventive adhesion properties of our composite, which leads to enhanced properties of our composite, which leads to enhanced soft-tissue attachment, our INPERIO system will soft-tissue attachment, our INPERIO system will incorporate a glassy coating on the transgingival incorporate a glassy coating on the transgingival abutment in the near future, once the regulatory cer- abutment in the near future, once the regulatory cer- tification process of our bacteriostatic bioglass is com- tification process of our bacteriostatic bioglass is com- plete. This material acts as a biological seal, prevents the accumulation of bacterial plaque and guaran- tees preservation of bone, which is the main cause of long-term failure of conventional implants. It has been proved to prevent bacterial dysbiosis in the peri- implant sulcus in comparison with both titanium and 3Y-TZP. 50 implants 1 2021 What are INPERIO’s properties regarding loading What are INPERIO’s properties regarding loading and biocompatibility? and biocompatibility? INPERIO is the first ceramic solution that mechani- INPERIO is the first ceramic solution that mechani- cally qualifies for implant insertion torque values up cally qualifies for implant insertion torque values up to 50 Ncm and screw-retained prosthetic solutions to 50 Ncm and screw-retained prosthetic solutions based on a ceramic multi-unit abutment termination, based on a ceramic multi-unit abutment termination, whereas other ceramic systems recommend not ex- whereas other ceramic systems recommend not ex- ceeding 35 Ncm, which does not allow immediate load- ceeding 35 Ncm, which does not allow immediate load- ing. Clinically speaking, INPERIO is suitable for immediate ing. Clinically speaking, INPERIO is suitable for immediate loading protocols and direct screwing to the implant with loading protocols and direct screwing to the implant with primary stability, even in extremely compromised cases. primary stability, even in extremely compromised cases. In terms of biocompatibility, INPERIO has similar success In terms of biocompatibility, INPERIO has similar success rates to titanium implants (> 95%). Owing to its optimum rates to titanium implants (> 95%). Owing to its optimum surface roughness (Sa = 1.4 µm), there is no need to per- form additional aggressive surface treatments to favour osseointegration. In fact, histological studies show that the degree of osseointegration in terms of bone–implant contact is similar to that of titanium implants. In addition, INPERIO’s bioceramic composite (being a ceramic ma- terial) resists corrosion and wear and has high chem- ical stability. Its biocompatibility and enhanced soft- tissue attachment (anatomical emergence profile) are