title: Surface properties and osteoblastic cytocompatibility of two blasted and Acid-etched titanium implant systems with distinct microtopography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare two commercially available screw-type sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) Ti implant systems from Eckermann Laboratorium S.L., with similar geometry and distinct microtopography, regarding surface properties and osteoblastic cytocompatibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Implant I (referred as a conventional SLA system) and Implant II (a system patented as Eckcyte(®)) were characterized for macro and microtopograpphy, surface roughness and chemical composition. For the cytocompatibility studies, human bone marrow osteoblastic cells were seeded over the implants' surface, and the cell response was assessed for cell adhesion and proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implant I presented a rough surface with irregularly shaped and sized cavities among flatter-appearing areas, whereas Implant II exhibited a homogeneous rough microporous surface. Compared to Implant I, Implant II presented higher Ra values (0.8 [SD 0.008] μm and 1.21 [SD 0.15] μm, respectively, P < 0.05) and also increased values of Rz, Rt and Rsm, a more negative value of Rsk, and similar RKu values. XPS showed the expected presence of Ti, O, C and N; Al, Si, F, P and Ca were detected in low concentrations. Implant II exhibited significantly lower Al levels. Both implants supported the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells. Implant II showed a thicker fibrilar cell layer and an earlier onset and more abundant matrix mineralization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The homogeneous rough and microporous surface of Implant II is most probably a main contributor for its improved cell response.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Anatomia e Histologia Dentária, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Biocompatibilidade Celular, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro de Sousa
authors.initials: Pde S
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas Lithuania.
authors.forename: Gintaras
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juodzbalys
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Anatomia e Histologia Dentária, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto Portugal.
authors.forename: Américo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Biocompatibilidade Celular, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fernandes
keywords: bone marrow; cell culture.; dental implants; differentiation cell; osteoblasts; surface properties