Enhanced vertical alveolar bone augmentation by restoring the endogenous electrical microenvironment

Abstract

Insufficient alveolar bone height is a major problem in implant restoration surgery. Here, the therapeutic strategy of restoring the electrical microenvironment to enhance alveolar bone augmentation was investigated in a standardized large-size beagle dog pre-clinical model. A biomimetic charged nano-BaTiO3/poly(vinylidene fluoridetrifluoroethylene) (nano-BTO/P(VDF-TrFE)) composite membrane was used to restore the endogenous electrical microenvironment of alveolar bone. The charged membrane exhibited excellent electrical stability. Upon implantation with bone grafts and covering with the charged membrane in alveolar bone defect sites for three months, there were significant improvements in the bone height, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume, as assessed by micro-CT analysis. Histological analysis further confirmed that restoration of the electrical microenvironment significantly promoted alveolar bone regeneration and maturation. These findings thus provide an innovative strategy for restoring the electrical microenvironment to enhance alveolar bone augmentation, which could further advance prosthodontics implant technology.