The ongoing research to improve the clinical outcome of titanium implants has resulted in the implemetation of multiple approches to deliver osteogenic growth factors accelerating and sustaining osseointegration. Here we show the presentation of human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) adsorbed to titanium discs coated with poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA). We have previously shown that PEA promotes fibronectin organization into nanonetworks exposing integrin- and growth-factor-binding domains, allowing a synergistic interaction at the integrin/growth factor receptor level. Here, titanium discs were coated with PEA and fibronectin and then decorated with ng/mL doses of BMP-7. Human mesenchymal stem cells were used to investigate cellular responses on these functionalized microenvironments. Cell adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization, as well as osteogenic markers expression (osteopontin and osteocalcin) revealed the ability of the system to be more potent in osteodifferentiation of the mesenchymal cells than combinations of titanium and BMP-7 in absence of PEA coatings. This work represents a novel strategy to improve the biological activity of titanium implants with BMP-7.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anesthetic effectiveness of a buccal infiltration technique combined with local massage (using 2% lidocaine) in the extraction of mandibular premolars to be utilized as an alternative to the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block. Methods: Patients eligible included any subject with a clinical indication for tooth extraction of the mandibular 1st or 2nd premolars. All patients were anesthetized buccally by local infiltration technique followed by an external pressure applied for 1 min directly over the injection area. In each case, another local injection was given lingually. All operations were started at approximately 5 min after the buccal injection. The collected data included age, gender, pain perception and its intensity during treatment at three checkpoints, apical tenderness, and the type of extraction. Any associated complications or difficulties were also recorded. Then the results were analyzed and interpreted using appropriate statistical tests. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 247 cases (1st premolar, n = 119; 2nd premolar, n = 128), predominantly male, were included. In 95% of study sample, the patients were satisfied with the dental extraction without any pain. However, in 5% of cases, pain was reported at the stage of tooth removal. Apical tenderness was found to be present in 11% of the total cases. Three teeth required surgical removal. Upon analysis, no significant differences in the success rates were detected between the 2 premolar groups or amongst the various age groups. Minor and transient side effects were reported in this study. Conclusion: The technique is simple and effective as well. It might be considered as an alternative anesthetic injection to the inferior alveolar nerve block for dental extraction of the mandibular premolars.

Mandibular continuity defects are associated with multiple functional and esthetic problems. Nonvascularized bone grafting is one of several surgical corrective techniques for such defects with good success predictability. This retrospective clinical study reviewed the outcome of this technique when applied in its 2 protocol variations while minimizing the effect of as many confounding factors as possible through the application of strict eligibility criteria. The surgical records of 16 patients constituted the final sample: 10 patients in the one-stage and 6 patients in the two-stage reconstruction groups. It was found that mandibular reconstruction with nonvascularized bone graft is a good first option as well as a viable alternative in the absence of free flap procedure facilities. Patients' initial expectations should be a crucial factor in deciding the appropriate surgical treatment protocol form the early planning stage. Standardizing success parameters in such cases could further improve objectivity and allow for multi-center research data pooling with reduced effect of heterogeneity featuring these complex injuries.