Osseointegration and osteoimmunology in implantology: assessment of the immune sustainability of dental implants using advanced sonographic diagnostics: research and case reports

Abstract

Objective Bone marrow defects of the jaw (BMDJ) surrounding dental implants, in combination with impaired bone-to-implant contact (BIC), are difficult to detect in X-rays. This study evaluated BMDJ surrounding titanium (Ti-Impl) and ceramic (Cer-Impl) dental implants and incomplete BIC using a new trans-alveolar ultrasonography device (TAU) with numerical scaling for BIC. Methods The titanium stimulation test (Ti-Stim) was used to detect immune overactivation in response to titanium. Bone density surrounding implants was measured using TAU. We also validated osteoimmune dysregulation. Results TAU values showed reduced BIC and decreased osseointegration for Ti-Impl. Moreover, TAU values in the Cer-Impl group were more than twice those in the Ti-Impl cohort. The multiplex analysis of C-C motif chemokine 5 (CCL5, also known as RANTES) expression revealed a 20-fold increase in BMDJ surrounding Ti-Impl. Higher levels of CCL5 inflammation were present in the positive Ti-Stim group. Conclusions Our data indicate that Cer-Impl have an osteoimmune advantage over Ti-Impl. The key determinant for osteoimmune sustainability appears to be the absence of inflammation at the implant site. We therefore recommend the use of TAU to assess the implant site prior to implantation.