Effects of Implanting Torques on Implant Osseointegration in an Animal Model

Objective: To investigate the effect of insertion torque on implant osseointegration in an animal model. Methods: First, the first to fourth premolars of nine healthy adult beagles’ mandibular were extracted to form an edentulous area, and then the beagles were equally divided into three groups with different torques (low torque: 10–30 Ncm; medium torque: 30–50 Ncm; high torque: > 70 Ncm). Three implants were placed on each side of the edentulous area of the beagles (54 total), and the dogs were observed for 8 weeks. Implant performance and removal torque values (RTV) were determined at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. In addition, the expression ratios of OPG and RANKL mRNAs in the surrounding bone tissue were determined. Results: None of the 54 implants showed loosening or loss, and no significant bone resorption was observed. The removing torques and the expression ratios of OPG and RANKL mRNAs showed differences at 1 and 4 weeks after surgery, while they converged at 8 weeks after the surgery (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The osteointegration process lasted approximately 8 weeks depending on the difference in parameters, and all parameters showed the same values even though the insertion torques at the beginning were different.

Comparison of Stress Distribution in Surrounding Bone during Insertion of Dental Implants on Four Implant Threads under the Effect of an Impact: A Finite Element Study

The design of an implant thread plays a fundamental role in the osseointegration process, particularly in low-density bone. It has been postulated that design features that maximize the surface area available for contact may improve mechanical anchorage and stability in cancellous bone. The primary stability of a dental implant is determined by the mechanical engagement between the implant and bone at the time of implant insertion. The contact area of implant-bone interfaces and the concentrated stresses on the marginal bones are principal concerns of implant designers. Numerous factors influence load transfer at the bone-implant interface, for example, the type of loading, surface structure, amount of surrounding bone, material properties of the implant and implant design. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the impact two different projectile of implant threads on stress distribution in the jawbone using three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Putative fossil blood cells reinterpreted as diagenetic structures

Red to red-orange spheres in the vascular canals of fossil bone thin sections have been repeatedly reported using light microscopy. Some of these have been interpreted as the fossilized remains of blood cells or, alternatively, pyrite framboids. Here, we assess claims of blood cell preservation within bones of the therizinosauroid theropod Beipiaosaurus inexpectus from the Jehol Lagerstätte. Using Raman spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry, and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, we found evidence of high taphonomic alteration of the bone. We also found that the vascular canals in the bone, once purported to contain fossil red blood cell, are filled with a mix of clay minerals and carbonaceous compounds. The spheres could not be analyzed in isolation, but we did not find any evidence of pyrite or heme compounds in the vessels, surrounding bone, or matrix. However, we did observe similar spheres under light microscopy in petrified wood found in proximity to the dinosaur. Consequently, we conclude that the red spheres are most likely diagenetic structures replicated by the clay minerals present throughout the vascular canals.

A 3-dimensional finite element analysis to evaluate the impact of force direction, insertion angle, and cortical bone thickness on mini-screw and its surrounding bone

Background. The present study aimed to assess the stress and strain distribution on mini-screws and the surrounding bone in cases of different cortical bone thicknesses (CBTs), mini-screw insertion angles, and force directions using finite element analysis (FEA). Methods. Inventor professional version 8 software was used to construct 24 three-dimensional assemblies of mini-screws inserted with different insertion angles (30º, 60º, and 90º) in alveolar bone blocks with different CBTs (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm). The models simulated mini-screws inserted in bones with different CBTs and different insertion angles. A 2-N load was applied in two directions to mini-screw heads. The resultant stresses of the applied load were collected from the output of the ANSYS program. Results. The results indicated that force direction affected bone strains as the horizontal force generated more strains on cortical bone than the oblique one. Force applied to 60º inserted mini-screws generated much more strains on cortical bone than 90º and 30º inserted mini-screws. In a 60º inserted mini-screw, the horizontal force generated about 45% more strains on cortical bone than the oblique one. The exerted microstrain on bone decreased as CBT increased. Conclusion. It can be concluded that inserting mini-screws at 60º to the bone surface should be avoided as it generates much more strains on cortical bone than 90º and 30º, especially when a force parallel to the bone surface is applied.

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Investigation into Effects of Implant Thread Design and Loading Rate on Stress Distribution in Dental Implants and Anisotropic Bone

Variations in the implant thread shape and occlusal load behavior may result in significant changes in the biological and mechanical properties of dental implants and surrounding bone tissue. Most previous studies consider a single implant thread design, an isotropic bone structure, and a static occlusal load. However, the effects of different thread designs, bone material properties, and loading conditions are important concerns in clinical practice. Accordingly, the present study performs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations to investigate the static, quasi-static and dynamic response of the implant and implanted bone material under various thread designs and occlusal loading directions (buccal-lingual, mesiodistal and apical). The simulations focus specifically on the von Mises stress, displacement, shear stress, compressive stress, and tensile stress within the implant and the surrounding bone. The results show that the thread design and occlusal loading rate have a significant effect on the stress distribution and deformation of the implant and bone structure during clinical applications. Overall, the results provide a useful insight into the design of enhanced dental implants for an improved load transfer efficiency and success rate.

Effects Induced by Osteophytes on the Strain Distribution in the Vertebral Body Under Different Loading Configurations

The mechanical consequences of osteophytes are not completely clear. We aimed to understand whether and how the presence of an osteophyte perturbs strain distribution in the neighboring bone. The scope of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior induced by the osteophytes using full-field surface strain analysis in different loading configurations. Eight thoracolumbar segments, containing a vertebra with an osteophyte and an adjacent vertebra without an osteophyte (control), were harvested from six human spines. The position and size of the osteophytes were evaluated using clinical computed tomography imaging. The spine segments were biomechanically tested in the elastic regime in different loading configurations while the strains over the frontal and lateral surface of vertebral bodies were measured using digital image correlation. The strain fields in the vertebrae with and without osteophytes were compared. The correlation between osteophyte size and strain alteration was explored. The strain fields measured in the vertebrae with osteophytes were different from the control ones. In pure compression, we observed a mild trend between the size of the osteophyte and the strain distribution (R2 = 0.32, p = 0.15). A slightly stronger trend was found for bending (R2 = 0.44, p = 0.075). This study suggests that the osteophytes visibly perturb the strain field in the nearby vertebral area. However, the effect on the surrounding bone is not consistent. Indeed, in some cases the osteophyte shielded the neighboring bone, and in other cases, the osteophyte increased the strains.

Medical imaging and analysis of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma using CT, MRI and ultrasound

Chondrosarcoma (CS) is a type of bone cancer that arises from the malignant transformation of chondrocytes and spreads metastatically to the surrounding bone tissue. CSs tend to grow and spread slowly, dedifferentiating into high-grade tumours; however, the cancer may grow rapidly too. What causes chondrosarcoma is not known, though it may arise from a benign tumour or bone conditions. Typically, CS tumours originate from the bones of the axial skeleton, but they may also occur in other parts of the body. CS patients usually experience aching pain around the tumour, especially at night or during physical activity, and it slowly deteriorates. Medical imaging tests play an important role in the diagnosis of CS; nevertheless, a tissue biopsy is required to confirm its diagnosis. The role of medical imaging is also vital in guiding and monitoring treatments. Surgical resection of the tumour is commonly the primary treatment for most types of CS due to its resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This work presents the case of a deceased middle-aged male subject with dedifferentiated CS of the right chest wall, including analysis of medical images involving both ionising (computed tomography) and non-ionising techniques (ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging), in addition to treatments the subject received, along with their outcomes. Five generations of the subject’s family were investigated in detail and the subject was found the only cancer case in his family. Furthermore, the subject did not benefit from any treatments he underwent, and he died within two years from the diagnosis.

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Investigation Into Effects of Implant Thread Design and Loading Rate on Stress Distribution in Dental Implants and Anisotropic Bone

Variations in the implant thread shape and occlusal load behavior may result in significant changes in the biological and mechanical properties of dental implants and surrounding bone tissue. Most previous studies consider a single implant thread design, an isotropic bone structure, and a static occlusal load. However, the effects of different thread designs, bone material properties, and loading conditions are important concerns in clinical practice. Accordingly, the present study performs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations to investigate the static, quasi-static and dynamic response of the implant and implanted bone material under various thread designs and occlusal loading directions (buccal-lingual, mesiodistal and apical). The simulations focus specifically on the von Mises stress, displacement, shear stress, compressive stress and tensile stress within the implant and the surrounding bone. The results show that the thread design and occlusal loading rate have a significant effect on the stress distribution and deformation of the implant and bone structure during clinical applications. Overall, the results provide a useful insight into the design of enhanced dental implants for an improved load transfer efficiency and success rate.

Impact of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on bone quality in a murine model of bone metastases

Thermal therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are gaining widespread clinical adoption in the local treatment of skeletal metastases. RFA has been shown to successfully destroy tumor cells, yet the impact of RFA on the quality of the surrounding bone has not been well characterized. RFA treatment was performed on femora of rats with bone metastases (osteolytic and osteoblastic) and healthy age matched rats. Histopathology, second harmonic generation imaging and backscatter electron imaging were used to characterize changes in the structure, organic and mineral components of the bone after RFA. RFA treatment was shown to be effective in targeting tumor cells and promoting subsequent new bone formation without impacting the surrounding bone negatively. Mineralization profiles of metastatic models were significantly improved post-RFA treatment with respect to mineral content and homogeneity, suggesting a positive impact of RFA treatment on the quality of cancer involved bone. Evaluating the impact of RFA on bone quality is important in directing the growth of this minimally invasive therapeutic approach with respect to fracture risk assessment, patient selection, and multimodal treatment planning.

Implant-related artifacts around metallic and bio-integrative screws: a CT scan 3D Hounsfield unit assessment

Objective: To assess the degree of implant-related artifacts (IRA) around metallic and bio-integrative (BI) cannulated screws using Hounsfield units (HU) on computed tomography (CT). Our hypothesis was that BI implants would demonstrate significantly decreased IRA around the inserted screws. Methods: In this cadaveric CT imaging study, we used 2 below-knee specimens. Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy was performed, and the specimens were fixed with either metallic or BI screws. HU values were measured over 4 different lines that crossed the osteotomy position. Results: The mean HU value was decreased in the BI implants compared to the metallic ones in 3 different positions: near the screw, directly over the screw, and inside the screw cannula. At the line placed 1 cm dorsal to the screw, the HU value for the metallic screw was lower than that for the BI screw. Conclusions: We found metallic implants to demonstrate significantly increased HU values in regions close to the implant and significantly decreased values 1 cm away from the implant, when compared to the BI screw. The decreased HU values 1 cm away from the implant could be due to a shielding effect of the surrounding bone, hindering the assessment of union and healing. BI implants represent an alternative to decrease these IRA effects. Level of Evidence III; Case-Control Study.