The technology is intended to face the main problems of transmucosal dental implants, such as peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis and epithelial downgrowth. The strategy foresees the development of a surface able to favor soft tissues growth (gum sealing), limit at the implant collar these tissues, reduce bacterial adhesion and eventually have an antibacterial action. To reach these goals a titanium surface can at first be modified from a topographical standpoint with the obtainment of oriented grooves for soft tissues guidance, the surface can be covered with keratin nanofibers in a second step to enhance soft tissues growth (oriented with oriented fibers). Both these steps do not increase bacterial adhesion compared to a smooth titanium surface. Finally, an antibacterial action can be added by keratin doping with antibacterial ions (e.g. Ag).
The market of transmucosal dental implants actually does not offer solutions similar to the one proposed. The here proposed technology present a surface specifically designed in order to limit bacterial adhesion, guide and stimulate the growth of soft tissues and offer the possibility to have an effective antibacterial action (metal ion doping). The proposed solution allows the stimulation of soft tissues and their confinement to the implant collar region. The technology is multi-step with different complexity levels and allows the development of several commercial solutions for specific needs. Finally, the technology is environmentally friendly since it does not employ toxic reagent but uses keratin from industrial byproducts sustaining circular economy and local development.
Italy