E!8320 NuGel - Combined antibacterial debridement strategy for infected permanent bone implants as peri-implantitis treatment

Peri-implantitis is caused by bacteria that colonize the surfaces of dental implants. It is an inflammatory process affecting the tissues around implants resulting in loss of supporting bone and ultimately leading to implant failure. Debridement is an important part of the treatment process for healing of peri-implant bone loss. In medicine, debridement refers to the removal of necrotic, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue. In dentistry, debri dement also refers to the removal of plaque and calculus that have accumulated on teeth or any other surface in the oral cavity. The aim is to develop a gel formulation that allows for a more effective removal of biofilms on bone implant surfaces. The treatment will involve a combination of chemo-mechanical debridement and a light device that is able to re-activate the implant surface. The gel has proven to be effective anti-microbial and to reduce biofilm formation. However the light device had less effect than first hypothesized.

Corticalis has developed and patented, as the only group in the world, loadable titanium dioxide bone graft substitute with compressive strength of 2.5 MPa. The following Norwegian invention was awarded a large EU project (E!5069 NewBone) worth 2.1 millio n Euro which is running from Feb 2010 until Jan 2013. This proposed project is a prolongation of that project and build on further innovative step of such bone graft substitute into third generation regeneration nano-structured biomaterials. In order to s uccess with the current project, interdisciplinary work between biochemistry, biotechnology and nano material science is crucial. The main objective is be develop a nano-structured surface which both enhances the mechanical strength of the bone graft to a bove 5 MPa and also provide anchorage bioactive molecules for enhanced bone response. Bone graft substitute with high strength would allow for use in high load bearing application, such as spine defects. Nano-modified materials would impose a paradigm shi ft in dentistry and orthopaedics, reducing the need for grafting procedures and cemented implants, maintain viability, and thus healing capacity, of the compromised bone, and prolong the lifespan of the implanted device. The size of the problem, both medi cal and financial, and the possible benefits of an actively integrating bone implant, predicts that research-based industrial development is one probable project outcome. There is an urge for new strategies that induce direct re-growth of lost or damaged bone. Proper regeneration of skeletal tissues is the only way to fully restore function in these structures. The techniques used in this study are novel and well documented approached developed by the applicant. BIOMAT has been successful in application d riven research and has in depth knowledge on which biomaterials are most suitable and which surfaces are most promising.