From surface to success: How implant surfaces shape osseointegration

The field of dental implantology has significantly advanced to address the multifaceted impacts of tooth loss, encompassing physical, functional, emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. Dental implants serve as reliable solutions, ensuring stability, minimal bone loss, and absence of pain or infection. Central to their success is the surface modification of implants, which profoundly influences osseointegration—the process crucial for establishing a functional bond between bone and implant. This review explores various physical modifications of dental implant surfaces, focusing on macro, micro, and nano-level alterations. Macro-level modifications optimize implant geometry and thread design to enhance initial stability and long-term fixation. Micro-level modifications, including grit blasting and acid etching, increase surface roughness to facilitate mechanical interlocking and cell adhesion. Nano-level modifications, such as hydrophilic coatings and bioceramic enhancements, enhance surface energy and promote osteoblastic differentiation, thereby accelerating osseointegration. These surface modifications represent a critical frontier in implant dentistry, promising improved clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction through enhanced integration and reduced healing times.