Permanent wettability of a novel, nanoengineered, clinically available, hyaluronan‐coated dental implant

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to evaluate long‐term wettability of novel surface‐engineered, clinically available dental implants, featuring a surface nanolayer of covalently linked hyaluronan, and to confirm the relationships between wetting properties and surface nanostructure and microstructure. Wettability measurements were performed on clinically available hyaluronan‐coated Grade 4 titanium implants, packaged and sterile, that is, in the “on the shelf” condition, after 1 year from production. Wetting properties were measured by the Wilhelmy plate method. Analysis of the surface structure and chemistry was perfomed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ζ‐potential measurement, either on implants or disks or plates subjected to the same surface‐engineering process. Results show that hydrophilicity and ensuing capillary rise of the hyaluronan‐coated implant surface is unaffected by aging and dry storage. Chemical analysis of the implant surface by XPS and evaluation of the ζ potential indicate that hyaluronan chemistry and not that of titanium dictates interfacial properties. Comparison between XPS versus EDX and SEM versus AFM data confirm that the thickness of the hyaluronan surface layer is within the nanometer range. Data show that nanoengineering of the implant surface by linking of the hydrophilic hyaluronan molecule endows tested titanium implants by permanent wettability, without need of wet storage as presently performed to keep long‐term hydrophilic implant surfaces. From an analytical point of view, the introduction in routine clinical practice of nanoengineered implant surfaces requires upgrading of analytical methods to the nanoscale.

Functionalization with a Polyphenol-Rich Pomace Extract Empowers a Ceramic Bone Filler with In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Pro-Osteogenic Properties

“…However, the introduction of polyphenolic molecules on the surface made the ζ-potential even more negative and acidic. Furthermore, the ζ-potential curve for Synergoss Red showed a value almost constant in all pH ranges; this means that homogeneous chemical functions with acidic behavior were present on the surface, determining the charge and therefore the surface ζ-potential [ 54 ]. The formation of a plateau during measurement revealed the presence of a single value of pKa for the surface, which means that the interfacial charge behavior was dominated by chemical functionalities present on the surface rather than by ions derived from the solution [ 3 ].…”

Evaluation of Bone Regeneration Efficacy in a Rabbit Model of Femoral Condyles Defect by Polyphenols-Containing Bone Filler

“…Commercially available bone filler materials work through a simple scaffolding effect, providing osteoconduction. The new approach involving the biomolecular modification of biomaterials aims at enhancing the host tissue response through biologically active molecules delivered from the device or linked to the device surface [35][36][37][38]. In this broad scenario, the use of polyphenols from different source is widely investigated [32,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

Polyphenols from grape pomace induce osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells

“…In a clinical setting, dental implants stimulate new bone formation through a physical effect, namely through a controlled surface roughness (24). The emerging field of biomolecular modifications of bone implants and dental biomaterials aims at enhancing the host tissue response through biologically active molecules delivered from the device or linked to the device surface (25)(26)(27)(28)(29). The biomolecular modification of dental devices and materials through polyphenols from different sources is being investigated (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38).…”