Superhydrophilic Nanotextured Surfaces for Dental Implants: Influence of Early Saliva Contamination and Wet Storage

Abstract

Hydrophilic and nanotextured surfaces for dental implants have been reported as relevant properties for early osseointegration. However, these surface characteristics are quite sensitive to oral interactions. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to investigate the superficial alterations caused on hydrophilic nanotubular surfaces after early human saliva interaction. Titanium disks were treated using an anodization protocol followed by reactive plasma application in order to achieve nanotopography and hydrophilicity, additionally; surfaces were stored in normal atmospheric oxygen or wet conditioning. Following, samples were interacted with saliva for 10 min and analyzed regarding physical–chemical properties and cellular viability. Saliva interaction did not show any significant influence on morphological characteristics, roughness measurements and chemical composition; however, hydrophilicity was statistically altered compromising this feature when the samples were stored in common air. Cellular viability tested with pre-osteoblasts cell line (MC3T3-E1) reduced significantly at 48 h on the samples without wet storage after saliva contamination. The applied wet-storage methodology appears to be effective in maintaining properties such as hydrophilicity during saliva interaction. In conclusion, saliva contamination might impair important properties of hydrophilic nanotubular surfaces when not stored in wet conditions, suggesting the need of saliva-controlled sites for oral application of hydrophilic surfaces and/or the use of modified-package methods associated with their wet storage.

Bench-to-bedside: Feasibility of nano-engineered and drug-delivery biomaterials for bone-anchored implants and periodontal applications

“…Firstly, implant surfaces associated with nanostructured topography have been currently reported as a significant strategy to reduce corrosion rates and generate higher biocompatibility [ 29 ], as well as, it has demonstrated mechano-antibacterial properties generating minimized taxes of bacterial adhesion [ 30 ]. Moreover, nanostructured surfaces have been demonstrated to be easily modified in terms of wettability, Kunrath and colleagues have demonstrated the hydrophilization of nanotextured surfaces by applying Ar/O 2 reactive plasma [ 31 ] and Zhang and co-authors have shown the option of hydrophobization of nanotubular surfaces creating anti-fouling/antibacterial surfaces [ 32 ].…”

Emerging polymeric materials for treatment of oral diseases: design strategy towards a unique oral environment

“…For example, saliva can damage the super-hydrophilic nano-textured surface of dental implants, which may affect bone healing. 51 Furthermore, the high wetness of saliva and the presence of various proteins and mucins prevent the strong and stable adhesion of drugs and biomaterials to the oral mucosa and dentoidin. 52 Besides saliva, the wet environment caused by fluid from food and drink intake hampers the retention of polymeric materials at the lesion site.…”

The Role of Titanium Particles and Ions in the Pathogenesis of Peri-Implantitis

“…On the other hand, surface treatments applying subtractive methods such as etching, blasting, and anodizing, promote surface properties with higher corrosion resistance compared to additive-coated surfaces, suggesting lower rates of particle release during the biocorrosion process. [ 40 , 41 ] Results by Schwarz et al [ 42 ] revealed that implantoplasty on modified surfaces by using diamond burs promoted the release of Ti particles from all tested samples, which might be linked to inflammation. Thus, techniques using less aggressive approaches, e.g., with non-metallic instruments, to treat dental implant surfaces affected by peri-implantitis might reduce the possibility of Ti particles release.…”