Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 16

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Akash Prajapati
Prajapatiaakash211@gmail.com

Abstract

The primary goal of modern dentistry is to restore normal contour, function, esthetics, speech, and health, whether replacing a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants have become the global standard for managing tooth loss, offering predictable outcomes even in cases of bone atrophy, disease, or trauma. As Sir Per-Ingvar Brånemark, the father of implantology, famously said, “No one should die with their teeth in a glass of water.” Dental implants involve anchoring biocompatible materials into the jaw to support prosthetic teeth. However, implant success can be compromised by poor bone quality, quantity, and systemic health conditions that hinder osseointegration. To address this, implant designs have evolved through modifications in geometry and surface properties. Titanium, the most common implant material, undergoes “biological aging” shortly after manufacturing, losing hydrophilicity and bioactivity due to hydrocarbon accumulation. This aging reduces osteogenic cell attachment and prolongs healing. Photofunctionalization – a technique using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation – has emerged to counteract this process. By exposing titanium surfaces to UV light (200–400 nm), hydrophilicity is restored, osteogenic cell recruitment is enhanced, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) is significantly increased. UV light alters the titanium dioxide surface chemistry, enhancing its biological activity. Notably, UVA (320–400 nm) has been identified as especially effective. Studies show that freshly manufactured implants show 90% BIC, while 4-week-old implants drop to 60%. Photofunctionalization rejuvenates aged surfaces, improving cell attachment and reducing healing time, offering a promising advancement in enhancing implant integration and clinical success