Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biology

Mentor

Prof. Stacie Smith

Abstract

Dental implant therapy is the process of replacing teeth as a form of treatment to improve quality of life, function, and esthetics. The success of the implant depends on the surgical technique, type of prosthetic, and factors related to individual patients. The most important factor for implant success is osseointegration. Osseointegration is a process in which success is determined by the bone quality, the surface characteristics of the implant and the surgical approach. Some approaches to improve the osseointegration of the implant are low-speed drilling, guided surgery, and reduced surgical trauma at the site. The impact of systemic conditions, health factors and behavioral habits of patients can influence the implant survival and long-term stability. Additionally, diabetes, periodontitis, smoking and bruxism can also affect the survival rate. The mechanical structure of the implants, specifically its abutment design, implant geometry and load distribution can cause complications with the longevity of the implant. Novel bone graft materials, hyaluronic acid applications and bioactive implant surface coatings are new technologies arising that have potential to improve the osseointegration and peri-implant tissue health.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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