Objective:
This clinical trial study examined the success of clinical utilization of expired titanium dental implants following ultraviolet C light (UVC) photofunctionalization.
Patients and Methods:
The study included the installation of 25 expired implants in 15 patients. The implants planned for installation were photofunctionalized using UVC (254nm wavelength) for 30 minutes on the day of implantation. All implants were installed following a two-stage protocol. Following implantation, all patients were followed up on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days, then the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months for signs of infection or implant rejection. Postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was acquired on the 3rd-day and 6th-month follow-up visits. Bone density at six areas around and marginal bone level at four sides of the implant were measured using CBCT scans of the two radiographic follow-up events. The postoperative and 6th-month CBCT measurements were statistically compared for significant differences.
Results:
All installed implants showed proper healing without any sign of infection or rejection. Bone density showed statistically significant improvement in the six regions with a mean improvement of 293.50±230.80 HU. The marginal bone level of the measured four areas showed a statistically significant increase with a mean gain of 0.69 ± 0.86mm.
Conclusion
UVC photofunctionalized expired titanium dental implants could be used clinically without any complications and with improved quality of peri-implant bone.