Mechanobiology of Oral Implantable Devices

A dental implant is a biomaterial device inserted in the jaw bone to replace the root of a missing tooth Adell et al. (1981); Hansson et al. (1983). With the implant insertion, a junction site between the biomaterial surface and the surrounding bone known as the bone-dental implant interface is created Branemark (1983). The formation of a new bone matrix in this interface allows the firm and long lasting connection between the bone and the implant in a process called osseointegration Albrektsson & Johansson (2001); Branemark (1983). The success of this contact depends on the restoration of the functional tissues around the implant providing it with mechanical support and anchorage Gapski et al. (2003); Hansson et al. (1983). This tissue restoration is conditioned to cell migration, cell proliferation and cell differentiation phenomena depending on the pathological conditions of the patient, the biological conditions of the host bone, the implant design and surface topography, and the distribution of mechanical loads between the bone and the implant Aukhil (2000); Ellingsen et al. (2006); Sikavitsas et al. (2001). The analysis of both biological and mechanical factors is known as mechanobiology Klein-Nulend et al. (2005); Van der Meulen & Huiskes (2002). Dental implants are widely used as anchorage devices for restoration and esthetical purposes Branemark (1983). However, in several orthodontic treatments where the anchorage is used, a higher control of treatment time and oral availability is needed Antoszewska et al. (2009); Gapski et al. (2003). In these cases, dental implants are not recommended since specific surgical procedures are required for their implantation usually demanding long lasting recovery times for insertion and loading Antoszewska et al. (2009). Furthermore, most of the orthodontic treatments are based on the temporary and direct application of loads for the movement of teeth Papadopoulos & Tarawneh (2007). This treatments rely on implantable devices capable of transmit immediate loading without the implicit need of being osseointegrated Papavasiliou (1996). Such devices, called mini-implants, reinforce the anchorage of orthodontic devices and speed up treatments given its relative simple insertion Mechanobiology of Oral Implantable Devices