Photofunctionalization as a suitable approach to improve the osseointegration of implants in animal models—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Caroline Dini, B Nagay, Marcela Baraúna Magno, Lucianne Cople Maia, Valentim Adelino Ricardo Barão
Abstract
Abstract Objectives To determine whether photofunctionalization influences dental implant osseointegration. Material and methods Data on osseointegration rates were extracted from 8 databases, based on bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and pushout tests. Internal validity was accessed through the SYRCLE risk of bias tool for animal experimental studies. Meta‐analyses were performed for investigation of the influence of photofunctionalization on implant osseointegration, with a random effect and a confidence interval of 95%. The certainty of evidence was accessed through the GRADE approach. Results Thirty‐four records were identified, and 10 were included in the meta‐analysis. Photofunctionalized implants showed higher mean values for BIC in rabbits (MD 6.92 [1.01, 12.82], p = .02), dogs (MD 23.70 [10.23, 37.16], p = .001), rats (MD 20.93 [12.91, 28.95], p < .0001), and in the pooled BIC analyses (MD 14.23 [7.80, 20.66], p < .0001) compared to those in control implants in the overall assay. Conversely, at late healing periods, the pooled BIC meta‐analyses showed no statistically significant differences ( p > .05) for photofunctionalized and control implants at 12 weeks of follow‐up. For pushout analysis, photofunctionalized implants presented greater bone strength integration (MD 19.92 [13.88, 25.96], p < .0001) compared to that of control implants. The heterogeneity between studies ranged from “not important” to “moderate” for rabbits I 2 = 24%, dogs I 2 = 0%, rats I 2 = 0%, and pooled BIC (I 2 = 49%), while considerable heterogeneity was observed for pushouts (I 2 = 90%). Conclusion Photofunctionalization improves osseointegration in the initial healing period of implants, as summarized from available data from rabbit, dog, and rat in vivo models.