Osteogenic potential of laser modified and conditioned titanium zirconium surfaces.
BACKGROUND
The osseointegration of dental implant is related to their composition and surface treatment. Titanium zirconium (TiZr) has been introduced as an alternative to the commercially pure titanium and its alloys as dental implant material, which is attributed to its superior mechanical and biological properties. Surface treatments of TiZr have been introduced to enhance their osseointegration ability; however, reliable, easy to use surface modification technique has not been established.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser surface treatment of TiZr implant alloy on their osteogenic potential.


METHODS
Twenty disc-shaped samples of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm height were milled from the TiZr alloy ingot. The polished discs were ultrasonically cleaned in distilled water. Ten samples each were randomly selected as Group A control samples and Group B consisted of Nd-YAG laser surface etched and conditioned test samples. These were evaluated for cellular response. Cellular adhesion and proliferation were quantified, and the results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric analysis. Cellular morphology was observed using electron and epiflurosence microscopy.


RESULTS
Nd-YAG laser surface modified and conditioned TiZr samples increased the osteogenic potential.


CONCLUSIONS
Nd-YAG laser surface modification of TiZr, improves the cellular activity, surface roughness, and wettability, thereby increasing the osteogenic potential.
Department of Prosthodontics, SRM Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
P David
PD
Charles
Department of Prosthodontics, Shree Balaji Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ponsekar Abraham
PA
Anandapandian
Department of Biochemistry, VRR Institute of Biomedical Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shila
S
Samuel
Cell culture; neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser modification; osteogenesis; titanium zirconium