Evaluation of Osteogenic Potential of a Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Coating on Titanium

Abstract

Introduction: Reducing the healing period after surgical placement of dental implants can facilitate the loading of dental prostheses. Aim: The aim is to compare the osteogenic potential of unmodified titanium disks with titanium disks that were surface-modified or hydrogel-coated. Materials and methodology: One hundred eight titanium disks (Ø6 × 2-mm) were divided into three groups: (1) unmodified titanium as control (Ti-C); (2) sandblasted and acid-etched (Ti-SLA), and (3) coated with tamarind kernel polysaccharide hydrogel grafted with acrylic acid (Ti-TKP-AA). The osteogenic potential and cytotoxic effect of various groups of titanium were compared using human osteoblasts Saos-2. The surface topography of the titanium disks and morphology of osteoblasts grown on disks were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (n = 3). Cell attachment to the disks and actin expression intensity were investigated by confocal imaging (n = 3). Cytotoxicity was quantified by cell viability assay (n = 9). Osteoblast maturation was determined by alkaline phosphatase assay (n = 9). Cell mineralization was quantified by Alizarin red staining (n = 9). One-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons test was used for intergroup comparisons ( α = 0.05). Results: The surface modifications on Ti-SLA and Ti-TKP-AA support better morphology and proliferation of osteoblasts than Ti-C (P< 0.001) and significantly higher levels of actin cytoskeleton accumulation (P< 0.0001). Ti-TKP-AA showed a significantly higher maturation rate than Ti-C (P< 0.001). Ti-TKP-AA showed > twofold increased mineralization than Ti-C and Ti-SLA (P< 0.001). Conclusions: TKP-AA hydrogel-coated titanium promotes faster osteoblast proliferation, maturation, and mineralization than SLA-treated or untreated titanium. These advantages can be explored for achieving early osseointegration and prosthetic loading of titanium dental implants.