The placement of prosthetic and dental implants has now reached very high figures, with a global market exceeding $50 billion per year. The functional and structural unit of an implant with bone tissue is achieved through a series of cellular and molecular processes. There is a migration to the implant surface of mesenchymal stem cells that eventually differentiate into osteoblasts producing a mineralized organic matrix at the tissue-implant interface. This process depends on the chemistry, the topography of the implant surface, as well as its design. Regarding the design of the implant, although the success rates are high (around 95%), some of them fail and must be replaced, with consequent harm to patients and professionals. One of the most frequent causes of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis, which could be avoided with appropriate surface modifications. Studies in preclinical animal models, to test the osseointegration potential, represent the most appropriate option, however, the biological and physiological response of the different species, as well as the ethical implications, indicate the need for new systems and experimental models that faithfully reproduce the architectural and biological characteristics of native bone, as well as a biological response similar to the human one.
The goal of the research topic is to bring together biotechnological and clinical methods, as well as suitable experimental models, for the development of new implantable medical device surfaces. This research theme accepts manuscripts that include the topics listed below:
- Macro- and micro-design
- Surface modifications and functionalization
- Coatings and surface characterization
- Experimental models
- New diagnostic technologies
- New biomaterials for implants
- Biocompatibility at the tissue-biomaterial interface
- Cellular and molecular reaction of implants
The placement of prosthetic and dental implants has now reached very high figures, with a global market exceeding $50 billion per year. The functional and structural unit of an implant with bone tissue is achieved through a series of cellular and molecular processes. There is a migration to the implant surface of mesenchymal stem cells that eventually differentiate into osteoblasts producing a mineralized organic matrix at the tissue-implant interface. This process depends on the chemistry, the topography of the implant surface, as well as its design. Regarding the design of the implant, although the success rates are high (around 95%), some of them fail and must be replaced, with consequent harm to patients and professionals. One of the most frequent causes of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis, which could be avoided with appropriate surface modifications. Studies in preclinical animal models, to test the osseointegration potential, represent the most appropriate option, however, the biological and physiological response of the different species, as well as the ethical implications, indicate the need for new systems and experimental models that faithfully reproduce the architectural and biological characteristics of native bone, as well as a biological response similar to the human one.
The goal of the research topic is to bring together biotechnological and clinical methods, as well as suitable experimental models, for the development of new implantable medical device surfaces. This research theme accepts manuscripts that include the topics listed below:
- Macro- and micro-design
- Surface modifications and functionalization
- Coatings and surface characterization
- Experimental models
- New diagnostic technologies
- New biomaterials for implants
- Biocompatibility at the tissue-biomaterial interface
- Cellular and molecular reaction of implants