Enhanced adhesion and migration of osteoblastic cells on titanium (Ti) surface is believed to increase the success rate of implant therapy. A GRGDSP peptide derived from fibronectin was coated on Ti surfaces using a tresyl chloride activation technique, and then MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were cultured on the Ti surfaces. After 15 days, total RNA was isolated from the cells and gene expression level were analyzed by Affymetrix GeneChip system. The expression levels of many genes in MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on GRGDSP-coated Ti surface were altered when compared to uncoated Ti. In particular, the elevated mRNA levels of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC) were successfully confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. In light of the results obtained, GRGDSP-coated Ti presented the potential of evolving into a useful biomaterial for successful implant therapy.

Resonance frequency (RF) analysis technology was used to design a new dental implant stability detector. To calibrate and test the performance of this novel apparatus, in vitro and in vivo models, respectively, were used. The RF values of the test implants detected using our new device and a commercially available analogous device (Osstell) were compared. Further, implant stability status was also detected clinically using our device at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. A high correlation was demonstrated between the values measured with the two devices (y ＝ 0.31x-12.45; R 2 ＝ 0.98, p<0.05). In our clinical tests, an initial RF value above 10.0 kHz indicated that the implant was ready to accept functional loading, while values in the 4.0-10.0 kHz range reflected the need for further osseointegration. In conclusion, these results indicated that our new device might be useful in a clinical setting for evaluating the healing status of a placed implant.

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Background In sinus augmentation, when remaining bone height is ≤5 mm, a lateral window approach is often the preferred choice; nonetheless, patients prefer to have a less invasive approach such as crestal sinus augmentation (CSA). Prior case reports have described the use of various staged approaches of a CSA technique in cases of limited bone height. The aim of this report was to describe the results of a case series in which a two‐stage CSA technique was used in patients with 4 to 6 mm of bone height. Methods Nineteen subjects with 28 sinuses of initial vertical bone height of 4 to 6 mm were included in which a two‐stage CSA technique was used in place of a lateral window approach. In the first surgery, 0.3 mL graft material was inserted into all sites. In the second surgery, 13 sites were filled with 0.2 mL graft material and remaining 15 sites were filled with 0.4 mL. Results No damage was observed in the maxillary sinus floor membrane after first 0.2 mL filling; however, one case had Schneiderian membrane perforation after filling 0.4 mL. The average elevation height (EH) after first surgery was 5.81 ± 0.7 mm, 5.15 ± 0.91 mm before second surgery, 6.69 ± 0.89 mm with 0.2 mL filling (total 0.5 mL) and 8.11 ± 1.24 mm with 0.4 mL filling (total 0.7 mL). The thickness of maxillary sinus membrane before first surgery was 2.6 ± 2.59 mm; however, it has become 0.97 ± 1.59 mm before second surgery, with a decrease of 1.6 mm estimate. Conclusion This case series that assessed outcomes of staged crestal maxillary sinus augmentation was an effective approach to elevating 6 or 8 mm alveolar bone height without causing major membrane perforation. However, the two‐stage approach was used in the limited residual bone height (4 to 6 mm) and required two separate surgical procedures.