Could Photofunctionalized Expired Dental Implants Be Clinically Used? In Vivo Study.

Abstract

Objective: This clinical trial study examined the success of clinical utilization of expired titanium dental implants following ultraviolet C light (UVC) photofunctionalization. Patients and Methods: The study included the installation of 25 expired implants in 15 patients. The implants planned for installation were photofunctionalized using UVC (254nm wavelength) for 30 minutes on the day of implantation. All implants were installed following a two-stage protocol. Following implantation, all patients were followed up on the 3 rd , 7 th , and 14 th days, then the 1 st , 3 rd , and 6 th months for signs of infection or implant rejection. Postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was acquired on the 3 rd -day and 6 th -month follow-up visits. Bone density at six areas around and marginal bone level at four sides of the implant were measured using CBCT scans of the two radiographic follow-up events. The postoperative and 6th-month CBCT measurements were statistically compared for significant differences. Results