INDIS: Innovative Nanostructured surface of Dental ImplantS

Purpose and goal:

Peri-implantitis, i.e., inflammation of the peri-implant soft connective tissue and progressive loss of implant-supporting bone, affects about 22% of the patients with dental implants. Peri-implantitis treatment is complex and unpredictable. Development of technologies contributing to prevention of disease seems crucial. The current project will evaluate a novel implant surface technology for its antimicrobial potential, together with its osseointegration capacity, both in-vitro and in-vivo.

Expected results and effects:

The current project will disclose whether a novel implant surface technology exerts a relevant antimicrobial potential, without compromising osseointegration. If it is confirmed that this novel implant surface technology indeed exerts a relevant antimicrobial potential and does compromising osseointegration, then further studies, including clinical testing, should be performed to assess the potential of the technology in clinical settings and on the long-term.

Approach and implementation:

The project includes in-vitro and in-vivo experiments, for example mechanical tests assessing the robustness of this surface modification, use in-vitro biofilm models, clinical plaque accumulation models etc.