Plasma of Argon Affects the Earliest Biological Response of Different Implant Surfaces

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the early cell response and protein adsorption elicited by the argon plasma treatment of different commercially available titanium surfaces via a chair-side device. Sterile disks made of grade 4 titanium (n= 450, 4-mm diameter) with 3 surface topographies (machined, plasma sprayed, and zirconia blasted and acid etched) were allocated to receive 4 testing treatments (2% and 10% protein adsorption and cell adhesion with MC3T3-E1 and MG-63). Furthermore, the specimens were divided to undergo 1) argon plasma treatment (10 W, 1 bar for 12 min) in a plasma reactor, 2) ultraviolet (UV) light treatment for 2 h (positive control group), or 3) no treatment (control group). Pretreatment surface analyses based on a scanning electron microscope and profilometer images were also performed. Profilometric analysis demonstrated that the evaluated specimens perfectly suit the standard parameters. The use of argon plasma was capable of affecting the quantity of proteins adsorbed on the different surfaces, notwithstanding their roughness or topographic features at a low fetal bovine serum concentration (2%). UV light treatment for 2 h attained similar results. Moreover, both the plasma of argon and the UV light demonstrated a significant increase in the number of osteoblasts adherent at 10 min in all tested surfaces. Within its limitations, this in vitro study highlights the potential biological benefits of treating implant surfaces with plasma of argon or UV, irrespective of the roughness of the titanium surface. However, in vivo experiments are needed to confirm these preliminary data and settle the rationale of a treatment that might be clinically relevant in case of bone-reparative deficiencies.

Influence of plasma cleaning procedure on the interaction between soft tissue and abutments: a randomized controlled histologic study

“…In vitro studies have demonstrated that plasma of argon treatment can activate the surfaces at the atomic and molecular levels, preserving the integrity of the titanium surface (Canullo et al. ). This activation enhances the activity of bone‐forming cells at the tissue–implant interface (Canullo et al.…”

“…In the literature, dental implants able to improve the soft tissue attachment and osseointegration are being actively pursued (Seon et al 2015;Canullo et al 2016a). In vitro studies have demonstrated that plasma of argon treatment can activate the surfaces at the atomic and molecular levels, preserving the integrity of the titanium surface (Canullo et al 2016b). This activation enhances the activity of bone-forming cells at the tissue-implant interface (Canullo et al 2016a).…”

“…(Canullo et al 2013). Moreover, it has been seen that the use of argon plasma was capable of affecting the quantity of proteins absorbed on different surfaces, notwithstanding the roughness or topographic features in titanium surfaces (Canullo et al 2016b). However, a lack of evidence is still present in the literature regarding the clinical relevance of plasma cleaning procedure on dental implant abutments in "in vivo" studies (Canullo et al 2014a,b).…”

Overcoming the biological aging of titanium using a wet storage method after ultraviolet treatment

“…Based on the results of previous studies 8, 24, 31 , we used at least four samples in each experiment, repeating each experiment three times. We analysed the results obtained for the three groups at each time point by means of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Tukey’s method.…”

The influence of bone‐graft bio‐functionalization with plasma of argon on bacterial contamination

“…In this contest, atmospheric pressure plasma treatment (APP) was demonstrated to increase the surface energy producing hydrophilic surfaces and enhancing their wettability . Additionally, APP treatment could activate surfaces at the atomic and molecular level, promoting protein adsorption and cell spreading …”