Graphene-Doped Poly (Methyl-Methacrylate) (Pmma) Implants: A Micro-CT and Histomorphometrical Study in Rabbits.

Antonio Scarano,Fabio Di Carlo,Tiziana Orsini,Luca Valbonetti,Felice Lorusso

doi:10.3390/ijms22031441

Abstract

Background—the graphene-doping procedure represents a useful procedure to improve the mechanical, physical and biological response of several Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-derived polymers and biomaterials for dental applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate osseointegration of Graphene doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) (GD-PMMA) compared with PMMA as potential materials for dental implant devices. Methods—eighteen adult New Zealand white male rabbits with a mean weight of approx. 3000 g were used in this research. A total of eighteen implants of 3.5 mm diameter and 11 mm length in GD-PMMA and eighteen implants in PMMA were used. The implants were placed into the articular femoral knee joint. The animals were sacrificed after 15, 30 and 60 days and the specimens were evaluated by µCT and histomorphometry. Results—microscopically, all 36 implants, 18 in PMMA and 18 in DG-PMMA were well-integrated into the bone. The implants were in contact with cortical bone along the upper threads, while the lower threads were in contact with either newly formed bone or with marrow spaces. The histomorphometry and µCT evaluation showed that the GP-PMMA and PMMA implants were well osseointegrated and the bone was in direct contact with large portions of the implant surfaces, including the space in the medullary canal. Conclusions—in conclusion, the results suggest that GD-PMMA titanium surfaces enhance osseointegration in rabbit femurs. This encourages further research to obtain GD-PMMA with a greater radiopacity. Also, further in vitro and vivo animal studies are necessary to evaluate a potential clinical usage for dental implant applications.

Highlights

The recent trends of the literature in the field of implant dentistry report an increase of implant titanium-supported rehabilitation for the treatment of partial or complete edentulism [1,2] with high success rate after a five-year period [3,4]
The histomorphometry and μCT evaluation showed that the GP-Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and PMMA implants were well osseointegrated and the bone was in direct contact with large portions of the implant surfaces, including the space in the medullary canal
Conclusions—in conclusion, the results suggest that Graphene doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) (GD-PMMA) titanium surfaces enhance osseointegration in rabbit femurs

Summary

Introduction

The recent trends of the literature in the field of implant dentistry report an increase of implant titanium-supported rehabilitation for the treatment of partial or complete edentulism [1,2] with high success rate after a five-year period [3,4]. Sandblasting and/or acid etching techniques have been used for increasing the biological responses of cells around titanium. Another strategy is to load the titanium with hydroxyapatite (HA), Ca [5] and other coatings. Calcium, magnesium, strontium and zinc have been injected into the titanium for enhancing osseointegration through cell adhesion and proliferation of osteogenic cells [6,7,8]. These treatments have high costs that limit their applications. Despite the overall promising outcomes there is need for innovative materials with high corrosion resistance, lack of metal [10] and with anti-plaque activity to avoid bone loss and peri-implantitis [11]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion