Collagen Crosslinks and Bone Metabolism Involved in Osseointegration

Abstract

Preoperative examinations and installation protocols for dental implants are now being established. The current issues for dental implants are prediction and long-term prognosis. Bone classification based on bone mass and bone mineral density of alveolar bone at implant placement, namely bone quality, has been used in the dental community. On the other hand, bone quality in the orthopedic field is a factor affecting bone strength other than bone mineral density. Collagen crosslinks, one of the representative elements of bone quality, are inter-molecular crosslinks formed as a result of a series of post-translational modifications during the process of collagen biosynthesis. It is known that the amount and composition ratio of the collagen crosslinks contribute to the mechanical properties of the tissue. Recent studies have reported that collagen crosslinks in tissues control cellular activity, thus, collagen crosslinks in bone not only affect the mechanical strength of tissues but also control local bone metabolism. In this review, we introduce the new function of collagen crosslinks, and its clinical significance and future prospects in implant treatment.