Comparison of human mandibular osteoblasts grown on two commercially available titanium implant surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Surface characteristics play a major role in determining tissue response to implants and therefore their clinical outcome. The aim of the present study was to compare two commercially available titanium surfaces: plasma sprayed (TPS) and sand-blasted, acid-etched surface (SLA).


METHODS
The surfaces were characterized by roughness testing, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and protein adsorption to determine their microtopographic and chemical properties. The effect of the surfaces on human mandibular osteoblasts was then studied in terms of cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Human osteoblasts from the mandible were cultured on these two surfaces and evaluated at 3, 6, 24, and 48 hours to determine cell attachment and morphology. Growth and differentiation kinetics were subsequently investigated by evaluating cell growth, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin production at 7, 14, and 21 days.


RESULTS
Although roughness was quite similar, the two surfaces presented strong differences in their topography, and cell morphology varied as a consequence. Osteoblasts on SLA appeared more elongated and spindle shaped than those on TPS, and their adhesion at 3 and 6 hours was weaker, but reached that of cells on TPS at hour 24. Cell proliferation was greater on SLA surfaces but differentiation parameters; i.e., alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, provided better results on TPS surfaces. Osteoprotegerin production was enhanced on TPS surfaces at days 14 and 21.


CONCLUSIONS
Although cells grown on both surfaces exhibited good adhesion capabilities, a well-differentiated osteoblastic phenotype, and maintained a clear proliferation potential, our study suggests that plasma-sprayed treatment offers a better performance than SLA by creating, at least in the early phases, better conditions for tissue healing.
Galli
Carlo
C
Periodontology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. cm_galli@hotmail.com
Guizzardi
Stefano
S
Passeri
Giovanni
G
Martini
Desiree'
D
Tinti
Anna
A
Mauro
Giovanni
G
Macaluso
Guido Maria
GM
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000327:Adsorption; D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048430:Cell Shape; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000166:cytology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000032:analysis; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000032:analysis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000032:analysis; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D006023:Glycoproteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D011506:Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014025:Titanium; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase