Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopic Analysis of an Extraorally Installed Implant in a Silicone Facial Prosthesis Patient

Electron microscopic analysis of necrotic bone and failed implant surface in a patient with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonates (BP), a commonly used medication for various bone diseases, have been known to have severe complications such as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Failure of dental implants has also been found in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). In this study, we analyzed the necrotic bone tissues and the surface of the failed implants removed from the jaw in patients treated with BPs and antiresorptive agents.

RESULTS

Chronic inflammatory cells with collagen and fibrous tissues and bone sequestrum were shown at 5.0 × , 10.0 × , 20.0 × , and 40.0 × magnified histologic sections in the bone and fibrotic scar tissues removed from patients with MRONJ due to osteonecrosis. Hardened bone tissues with microcracked bony resorbed lacunae were observed in SEM. Unlike the previously published comparative data where immune cells, such as dendritic cells, were found in the failed implant surface, these immune cells were not identified in the BRONJ-related peri-implantitis tissues through the TEM investigations. Furthermore, EDS revealed that in addition to the main titanium element, gold, carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur elements were found.

CONCLUSION

Hardened bone tissues with microcracked bony resorbed lacunae were observed in the SEM findings, which were considered as the main characteristic of the osteonecrosis of the jaw. Immune cells, such as dendritic cells were not identified in the TEM. EDS showed that in addition to the main titanium element, gold, carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, and silicon elements were found. Furthermore, it was revealed that sulfur was found, which was considered to be one of the complicated causes of implant failure in patients with BRONJ.

Analysis of acute sinusitis-related early failed implant surface: a combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach

BACKGROUND

Even though dental implants are a reliable choice for dental rehabilitation, implant failures due to various etiologies have been reported. Early implant failures account for 2 to 6% of installed implants and are reported to have a higher rate than late failures, regardless of loading time. We herein report three cases of acute sinusitis and early implant failure with implants that failed within 1 month after installation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties of early failed implants and peri-implant tissue to determine the early osseointegration pattern in acute sinusitis-related failed implants as well as the possible role of surface contamination in the failure of osseointegration.

RESULTS

A combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach was used to characterize the surface of non-osseointegrated titanium implants and the surrounding biological tissues. Morphologic scanning electron microscopy revealed a heterogeneous surface and irregular osseointegration. The implant surface was covered mostly by carbon- and oxygen-rich organic matter. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy surface analysis of three implants showed the incorporation of some contaminants in both the upper and apical regions. Carbon, nitrogen, sodium, silicon, chlorine, sulfur, gold, and zirconium were detected on the surface of one or more failed implants. Fibrosis, lymphocytic, and macrophage infiltrates and a high activation of osteoclasts surrounding the bone graft particles were detected in the surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The etiology and mechanism of early implant failure, especially in sinus-related cases, as well as the proper management interventions to minimize the rate of early implant failures, are of great concern. No matter how confident and accurate the surgeon's operation, there may be unknown errors in the whole procedure that no one knows about. Rather than errors related to the implant surface, it is expected that there were invisible problems during the evaluation of the patient's own unique sinus mucosal inflammation or the operator's own procedure. Furthermore, well-designed researches are necessary to reveal the effect of material-related factors on acute sinus complication and early implant failure.