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A New Dental Implant Coating?
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found in experimental studies that dental implants coated with a new class of morpheonetic proteins demonstrated significant osteogenic properties.
This may represent a new technology for stimulating bone regeneration to replace lost bone. A formal study of this new technology will begin shortly. Interestingly, hydroxyapatite which has not worked as well as originally expected may have an underlying disadvantage of slow resorption and replacement with new bone.
"For the past 20 years, there has been a quest to regenerate tissues around teeth that are lost due to periodontal disease," Dr. Wikesjo, the lead researcher says. "I've looked at multiple approaches to achieve regeneration, including bone grafts, root conditioning and membrane devices for directed tissue growth, all resulting in some regeneration. Where we had to look was at the commonalities among these treatments." By experimenting with treatments and discerning their effect on healing bone defects, they found some - including some in use today - that actually hinder tissue regeneration. "Some biomaterials like hydroxyapatite particles, which are chemically similar to the mineral component of bone, may actually interfere with regeneration," Dr. Wikesjo says. "They may not resorb quickly enough and may block the space for new tissue to grow into."
With regards to the new protein technique Dr. Wikesjo comments, "There are still things we need to learn. In some cases, the protein may rapidly release from the implant, and other times, there appears to be a more gradual release,". "We need to find out what factors cause that. In the end, we may not need to use much protein to make the implant effective. Those are things we're looking at now."
What are your thoughts on this new research? Any comments on the hydroxyapatite findings?
Source: Medical University of Georgia
July 24, 2006 in Dental Implant News, Surface Treatments | Permalink
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Comments
Dear Doctors: I wrote requesting advise regarding what I should do regarding pain and numbness I have experienced after having two dental implants placed in upper left maxillary area two years ago. A cat-scan reveals that the implant penetrated the bone and grew close to a healthy adjacent tooth. Now it appears I will not only lose the implant but my good tooth as well. Should I remove the implant that will also take out a good piece of bone and my good tooth? Also why is this not told to patients prior to implant surgery? I'm afraid my pain will never cease. Please do not erase my question from your website as you have in the past. If you truly care about your patients you will respond. Thank you.
Posted by: Cynthis Kamps | Aug 2, 2006 12:21:08 PM
Dear Cynthia - So sorry to hear your story. From what you write and little information I have, it seems the implant may have been placed improperly - possibly at a dangerous angulation; close to a vital structure, i.e. the roots of your healthy tooth. It also seems you did not have adequate bone to support the implant. Unfortunately, there may be some nerve complications. Contact an oral surgeon who specializes in implantology and nerve injuries. Good luck and I'm so sorry for your situation. These things should never happen. Consider contacting a hospital with a good dental department for a consult - they are quite good at helping people with these
types of problems.
Posted by: Dr. Deckler | Aug 2, 2006 6:39:33 PM
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