Novel materials to prevent dental implant infections (NOMAD)

The occurrence of peri-implant infections is a devastating complication which can ultimately lead to implant instability and even replacement of the implant with a high risk of recidivism. Considering the high prevalence rates – peri-implantitis occurs in 28-56% of all treated subjects – and the lack of a current gold-standard treatment, peri-implantitis is rapidly becoming an – if not the most – important clinical challenge in dental implantology.A first challenge in the battle of dental infections is an early detection in order to determine the appropriate time for treatment (WP1). Furthermore, one focus of the project will be on the surface modification of the current state-of-the-art material for dental implants, titanium, by means of multifunctional coatings with the capability of a biofilm-triggered release to prevent infection development, but also simultaneously improving the bone tissue response (WP2). In a second part, the project will be focused on zirconia based materials, an emerging material for dental implants, which is more resistant to bacterial adhesion than state-of-the-art titanium (WP3). Furthermore, the project will specifically address key challenges currently hindering translation of anti-infective biomaterials into the clinical setting. As such, the long-term stability of antimicrobial surfaces deserves a stronger emphasis which should be matched by the development of standard testing methods (WP4). Finally, the impact of the novel implant systems on the European health care budgets as well as other related health economics issues will be addressed (WP5). Impact: there is limited evidence that current surgical treatments can resolve peri-implantitis lesions. Integration of specific biofilm inhibiting strategies in the implants is crucial and will reduce the need for implant revision due to biofilm-associated infections, lowering pain and suffering of the patient and reducing healthcare costs for patients and community.

Keywords:titanium, zirconia based materials, peri-implant infections, dental implants, antimicrobial surfaces

Disciplines:Materials science and engineering not elsewhere classified