The effect of surface processing of titanium implants on the behavior of human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells.
BACKGROUND
The surface qualities of dental implants appear to modulate osteoblasts' growth and differentiation, affecting bone healing. During manufacturing of implants, the surface quality is affected by industrial processes.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of manufacturing procedures on the growth and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells, Saos-2.


METHODS
Saos-2 cells were cultured on titanium (Ti) disks. Cell growth was examined using the XTT assay, and cell differentiation was tested by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin secretion. The following variables were examined: roughening of the surface by sandblasting and acid-etching, aging of the acid used for etching, fluoride modification of the surface, and the type of the packaging material.


RESULTS
An inverse relationship was noted between Saos-2 growth and ALP activity on the tested surfaces. Roughening of the surface tended to decrease cell proliferation and to increase differentiation. Immersion of up to 200 cycles in acid decreased proliferation and increased differentiation. Cells grown on fluoride-modified surfaces exhibited more ALP activity as compared to the unmodified surfaces. No difference was noted between the three packaging materials tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggests that industrial processes may affect the behavior of osteoblast-like cells around titanium implants and should be monitored carefully by bioassays.
Department of Periodontology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. avigdork@ekmd.huji.ac.il
Avigdor
A
Klinger
Anat
A
Tadir
Amal
A
Halabi
Lior
L
Shapira
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D003775:Dental Polishing; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014025:Titanium; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase