Ligaplant: A Paradigm Shift in Implant Dentistry

Abstract

Background: Conventional dental implants rely on osseointegration for stability, lacking the periodontal ligament (PDL) that provides natural teeth with proprioception, physiological mobility, and shock absorption. This limitation has prompted research into ligaplants—implants designed to integrate with PDL tissues and more closely mimic the natural tooth structure.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of the concept, biological rationale, current developments, clinical implications, and future potential of ligaplants in modern implant dentistry.

Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journals, PubMed, and open-access databases focusing on PDL biology, implant tissue engineering, and in vivo/in vitro studies on ligaplants. Relevant articles from 2000 to 2024 were included.

Results: The review highlights significant progress in tissue engineering techniques for developing ligaplants, including stem cell therapy, scaffold technology, and biomolecular stimulation. Preclinical studies have demonstrated promising outcomes, such as the formation of functional PDL-like tissues around implants. However, challenges remain in terms of fabrication complexity, lack of standardization, and long-term clinical validation.

Conclusion: Ligaplants represent an innovative direction in biomimetic dentistry, aiming to restore not only the function but also the biological dynamics of natural teeth. While still largely experimental, continued interdisciplinary research could soon make ligaplants a viable clinical alternative to conventional implants.