IADR Abstract Archives
Laser Microtexturing of Titanium Surfaces for Reduced Oral Biofilm Formation.
Objectives: Surface micro- and nanotexturing is an effective way to improve osseointegration of dental implant titanium surfaces. When finely tuned, it can also be a novel way to modulate biofilm formation and possibly help reduce peri-implantitis. This study aimed to evaluate surface characteristics and biofilm formation on two laser microtextured titanium surfaces, comparing them with machined, polished, and grit-blasted surfaces.
Methods: Laser microtexturing was performed as either a series of 20 μm-wide pits, distanced 30 μm, or parallel 20 μm-wide grooves of variable depth (10-30 μm). Machined, polished, and grit-blasted surfaces were obtained conventionally. Surfaces were characterized using 3D SEM imaging, surface roughness, surface free energy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). An oral microcosm biofilm model was developed on titanium disks’ surfaces (n=21/group) using a continuous-flow bioreactor for 48 h. Adherent, viable biomass was quantitatively evaluated (MTT test), surfaces were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and EDS.
Results: Laser-treated surfaces displayed peculiar topographies with similar surface roughness to grit-blasted surfaces. Machined surfaces showed lubricant contamination. Grit-blasting deposited alumina and silica remnants, while laser treating deposited a TiO2 rich layer between ablation spots/grooves. Laser-treated surfaces showed the lowest biofilm formation, not significantly different from machined and polished surfaces, while grit-blasted surfaces showed three times higher biofilm formation. Microorganisms preferably colonized the edges of the laser-created pits and grooves, with very little or no biofilm formation observed inside. Both rough features and the TiO2 rich layer on the edges may explain this behavior.
Conclusions: Laser microtexturing of titanium surfaces created surface microtopographies and also influenced surface chemical composition. Both microtextures were equally effective in reducing biofilm formation and should be furtherly investigated for their capacity of preventing peri-implantitis in vivo.
Methods: Laser microtexturing was performed as either a series of 20 μm-wide pits, distanced 30 μm, or parallel 20 μm-wide grooves of variable depth (10-30 μm). Machined, polished, and grit-blasted surfaces were obtained conventionally. Surfaces were characterized using 3D SEM imaging, surface roughness, surface free energy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). An oral microcosm biofilm model was developed on titanium disks’ surfaces (n=21/group) using a continuous-flow bioreactor for 48 h. Adherent, viable biomass was quantitatively evaluated (MTT test), surfaces were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and EDS.
Results: Laser-treated surfaces displayed peculiar topographies with similar surface roughness to grit-blasted surfaces. Machined surfaces showed lubricant contamination. Grit-blasting deposited alumina and silica remnants, while laser treating deposited a TiO2 rich layer between ablation spots/grooves. Laser-treated surfaces showed the lowest biofilm formation, not significantly different from machined and polished surfaces, while grit-blasted surfaces showed three times higher biofilm formation. Microorganisms preferably colonized the edges of the laser-created pits and grooves, with very little or no biofilm formation observed inside. Both rough features and the TiO2 rich layer on the edges may explain this behavior.
Conclusions: Laser microtexturing of titanium surfaces created surface microtopographies and also influenced surface chemical composition. Both microtextures were equally effective in reducing biofilm formation and should be furtherly investigated for their capacity of preventing peri-implantitis in vivo.