Effects of Surface Roughness of Titanium on Human Gingival Fibroblasts

A stable connection between the biomaterial surface and the surrounding tissue is one of the most important prerequisites for the long-term success of implants. Therefore, a strong adhesion of the cells on the biomaterial surface is required. Besides the surface composition, the surface topography influences the properties of the adherent cells. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of the surface roughness of the c.p titanium on the attachment, orientation and shape of cultivated human gingival fibroblasts. Materials and methods: C.p titanium plates were ground with SiC papers of different grains to acquire different surface Ra value(0.032µm, 0.103µm, 0.169µm and 0.281µm respectively). To investigate the relationship between the surface roughness of titanium and cell growth, human gingival fibroblast over the four samples was cultured in this study. Cell attachment and proliferation were measured by MTT. Cell spreading and orientation were observed under SEM. Cell number and shape were analyzed under a fluorescence microscopy. Cell Sf (shape factor) value was calculated by an IA system linked with a computer. Results: 1) Under SEM and fluorescence microscopy, fibroblasts on the ground titanium surfaces were observed to align themselves along the microgrooves on the surfaces. 2) Cell number counts showed no significant difference in 4 groups. 3) There was no significant difference as concerns the Sf value between groups while Ra vary from 0.032µm to 0.169µm. But Sf value significantly decreased when Ra was 0.281µm. Conclusion: The surface roughness of the c.p titanium altered cell orientation and cell shape. The surface roughness may be conducive to attachment and function of gingival cells when the Ra value is between 0.169µm and 0.281µm.