Rescuing failed oral implants via Wnt activation

Aim Implant osseointegration is not always guaranteed and once fibrous encapsulation occurs clinicians have few options other than implant removal. Our goal was to test whether a WNT protein therapeutic could rescue such failed implants. Material and Methods Titanium implants were placed in over‐sized murine oral osteotomies. A lack of primary stability was verified by mechanical testing. Interfacial strains were estimated by finite element modelling and histology coupled with histomorphometry confirmed the lack of peri‐implant bone. After fibrous encapsulation was established peri‐implant injections of a liposomal formulation of WNT3A protein (L‐WNT3A) or liposomal PBS (L‐PBS) were then initiated. Quantitative assays were employed to analyse the effects of L‐WNT3A treatment. Results Implants in gap‐type interfaces exhibited high interfacial strains and no primary stability. After verification of implant failure, L‐WNT3A or L‐PBS injections were initiated. L‐WNT3A induced a rapid, significant increase in Wnt responsiveness in the peri‐implant environment, cell proliferation and osteogenic protein expression. The amount of peri‐implant bone and bone in contact with the implant were significantly higher in L‐WNT3A cases. Conclusions These data demonstrate L‐WNT3A can induce peri‐implant bone formation even in cases where fibrous encapsulation predominates.