Spreading of epithelial cells on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces: an in vitro study

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of the surface structure of dental implants on epithelial cell spreading and growth in vitro. Cell morphology on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces was investigated.

A total of 10 machined and 10 sandblasted discs and 10 glass coverslips were used for the present study. Samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the cell spreading area was determined using a video image analysis system.

After 24 hours incubation, keratinocytes grown on sandblasted titanium samples displayed numerous, long, and branched or dendritic filopodia closely adapted to the surface roughness. Filopodia varied from 3 to 12 microm in length and 0.1 to 0.3 microm in width. Cells cultured on a machined surface did not present such cytoplasmic extensions and displayed a round morphology. Keratinocytes seeded on glass coverslips were flat and edged by filopodia (maximum length 7 to 8 microm) on the spreading site of the cluster. Though cell morphology is comparable with that observed on sandblasted specimens, cytoplasmic extensions suggestive of strong adhesion and spreading attitude were less pronounced.

These results indicate that sandblasted surfaces are the optimal substrata for epithelial cell adhesion and spreading.