Behavior of osteoblastic cells cultured on titanium and structured zirconia surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Osseointegration is crucial for the long-term success of dental implants and depends on the tissue reaction at the tissue-implant interface. Mechanical properties and biocompatibility make zirconia a suitable material for dental implants, although surface processings are still problematic. The aim of the present study was to compare osteoblast behavior on structured zirconia and titanium surfaces under standardized conditions.


METHODS
The surface characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In primary bovine osteoblasts attachment kinetics, proliferation rate and synthesis of bone-associated proteins were tested on different surfaces.


RESULTS
The results demonstrated that the proliferation rate of cells was significantly higher on zirconia surfaces than on titanium surfaces (p < 0.05; Student's t-test). In contrast, attachment and adhesion strength of the primary cells was significant higher on titanium surfaces (p < 0.05; U test). No significant differences were found in the synthesis of bone-specific proteins. Ultrastructural analysis revealed phenotypic features of osteoblast-like cells on both zirconia and titanium surfaces.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates distinct effects of the surface composition on osteoblasts in culture. Zirconia improves cell proliferation significantly during the first days of culture, but it does not improve attachment and adhesion strength. Both materials do not differ with respect to protein synthesis or ultrastructural appearance of osteoblasts. Zirconium oxide may therefore be a suitable material for dental implants.
Depprich
Rita
R
Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry and Endodontics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. depprich@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Ommerborn
Michelle
M
Zipprich
Holger
H
Naujoks
Christian
C
Handschel
Jörg
J
Wiesmann
Hans-Peter
HP
Kübler
Norbert R
NR
Meyer
Ulrich
U
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
D024042:Collagen Type I; D003764:Dental Materials; D015676:Osteonectin; D015675:Osteocalcin; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide