Clinical Applications of Photofunctionalization on Dental Implant Surfaces: A Narrative Review

Dental implant therapy is a common clinical procedure for the restoration of missing teeth. Many methods have been used to promote osseointegration for successful implant therapy, including photofunctionalization (PhF), which is defined as the modification of titanium surfaces after ultraviolet treatment. It includes the alteration of the physicochemical properties and the enhancement of biological capabilities, which can alter the surface wettability and eliminate hydrocarbons from the implant surface by a biological aging process. PhF can also enhance cellular migration, attachment, and proliferation, thereby promoting osseointegration and coronal soft tissue seal. However, PhF did not overcome the dental implant challenge of oral cancer cases. It is necessary to have more clinical trials focused on complex implant cases and non-dental fields in the future.