title: Human gingival fibroblast functions are stimulated by oxidized nano-structured titanium surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the features of an oxidized titanium implant surface and to evaluate its effects on the response of human gingival fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  10mm×10mm×1mm turned (control) and oxidized (test) titanium samples (P.H.I. s.r.l., Italy) were examined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy and characterized by height, spatial and hybrid roughness parameters. Primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts were seeded on titanium samples, and cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, in terms of type I collagen synthesis, were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Control and test surfaces appeared considerably different at the microscopic analyses: turned samples were grooved, whereas oxidized surfaces showed a more complex micro- and nano-scaled texture, as evidenced by roughness parameters. Cell adhesion and proliferation rate, as well as collagen synthesis, were greater on oxidized vs turned surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although both control and test samples were in the range of average roughness proper of smooth surfaces, they exhibited significantly different topographic properties in terms of height and, mostly, hybrid parameters. Furthermore, oxidized surfaces enhanced human gingival fibroblast adhesion, proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, and this could be due to the different structure at micro- and nano-scale levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxidized nanostructured titanium surfaces could have a significant clinical utilization in virtue of their affinity for soft tissue attachment at the implant neck and/or at the transmucosal portion of the prosthetic abutment.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Maria Assunta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nastri
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Annunziata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D003764:Dental Materials; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Cell adhesion; Cell proliferation; Collagen synthesis; Dental implant; Human gingival fibroblasts; Surface topography