Implant therapy is considered a predictable, safe, and reliable rehabilitation method for edentulous patients in most clinical scenarios. Thus, there is a growing trend in the indications for implants, which seems attributable not only to their clinical success but also to arguments such as a more “simplified approach” based on convenience or the belief that dental implants are as good as natural teeth. Therefore, the objective of this critical literature review of observational studies was to discuss the evidence concerning the long-term survival rates and treatment outcomes, comparing endodontically or periodontally treated teeth with dental implants. Altogether, the evidence suggests that the decision between keeping a tooth or replacing it with an implant should carefully consider the condition of the tooth (e.g., amount of remaining tooth and degree of attachment loss and mobility), systemic disorders, and patient preference. Although observational studies revealed high success rates and long-term survival of dental implants, failures and complications are common. For this reason, attempts should be made to first save maintainable teeth over the long-term, instead of immediately replacing teeth with dental implants.

Experimental research is critical for advancing medical knowledge and enhancing patient outcomes, including in vitro and in vivo preclinical assessments. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a blood by-product that has garnered attention in the medical and dental fields due to its potential for tissue regeneration and wound healing. Animal models, such as rabbits and rats, have been used to produce PRF and examine its properties and applications. PRF has demonstrated potential in the dental and medical fields for reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and accelerating wound healing. This narrative review aims to compare existing evidence and provide guidelines for PRF animal research, emphasizing the importance of standardizing animal models, following ethical considerations, and maintaining transparency and accountability. The authors highlight the necessity to use the correct relative centrifugal force (RCF), standardize centrifugal calibration, and report detailed information about blood collection and centrifuge parameters for reproducible results. Standardizing animal models and techniques is crucial for narrowing the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, ultimately enhancing the translation of findings from bench to bedside.

The aim of the present study is to compare the biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) using two different forms—(1) granules and (2) paste—in human maxillary sinus bone reconstruction as a split-mouth study using histomorphometric and immunolabeling for osteocalcin. Ten patients with bilateral maxillary posterior partial edentulism were selected in order to reconstruct bone height. They were divided into two groups: BCPG and BCP-P. After six months of bone healing, biopsies were harvested to assess the new bone formation and immunostaining for osteocalcin. The BCP g group had the following results: mean of bone formation in pristine bone 49.4 ± 21.6%, intermediate 49.4 ± 16.2%, and apical 55.3 ± 21.4%. The group BCP-P had a mean of 41.9 ± 17.3% in the pristine bone region, 37.5 ± 7.8% for intermediate, and 39.0 ± 13.5% for apical. The osteocalcin immunolabeling was high for both groups, demonstrating bone calcification. Thus, the two biomaterials present suitable results for the placement of dental implants.

Bioengineering is an area of biotechnology that offers tools for different therapeutic strategies, including tissue therapies. For this, cells are associated with growth factors and scaffolds composed of biocompatible biomaterials capable of promoting the regeneration of tissues, such as bones. Autologous biomaterials produced from human peripheral blood have a proven ability to produce/release activating factors for tissue repair, with potential application as a vehicle for carrying substances for local release. The present idea proposes the use of a new blood-derived concentrate, Alb-PRF, an activated plasma albumin gel with the platelet-rich fibrin in the liquid phase (Liquid PRF). Alb-PRF can be able to stabilize the fibrin matrix of the scaffold, acting as a drug delivery system vehicle in malignant lesions.