Multifunctional smart-releasing mesoporous materials for dental implant applications

With the global increase in dental implant procedures, the number of implant-associated infections caused by bacterial biofilm formation is also on the rise. Unless proper action is taken, these infections can induce peri-implantitis, which can eventually lead to implant failure, burdening both patients and healthcare systems. Although research is progressing in this field, there is no current gold-standard treatment for it. Therefore, this project aims at a dual approach to develop smart multifunctional surfaces for dental abutments, i.e. the transmucosal part of a dental implant, that will enable a good overall peri-implant health. First, femtosecond laser patterning (FLP) will be used to generate a hierarchical micro/nanostructured topography that will promote the attachment of soft-tissues onto the abutment, thereby establishing a mechanically stable soft-tissue sealing which can effectively protect the underlying tissues from invading pathogens. Next, micro-pockets created on the surface will be loaded with a mesoporous silica drug carrier material fine-tuned for the controlled release of prebiotic sugar molecules. These prebiotics can selectively stimulate the growth of commensal bacteria at the expense of pathogens in order to install a more healthy oral microbiome. For a more durable and timely therapeutic effect, the micro-pockets will be capped with a pH-responsive coating, confining the prebiotic release to the onset of bacterial biofilm formation.