First titanium dental implants with white surfaces: preparation and in vitro tests

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Implantology
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Titanium-based implants are widely used in clinical practice.
• Enhancements in implant surface properties can improve osseointegration and esthetics.
• Existing titanium surfaces may have limitations in appearance and biological interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate novel white titanium oxide surfaces created via plasma-electrochemical oxidation.
• To compare the in vitro biological performance of these new surfaces against established titanium materials.
• To assess the potential of these white surfaces for future dental implant applications.

Main Methods:

• Three novel white titanium oxide surfaces (M1-M3) were fabricated using anodic plasma-electrochemical oxidation.
• Surface characterization included scanning electron microscopy, microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction.
• In vitro studies involved primary human osteoblast cell cultures to assess toxicity, proliferation, morphology, and bone matrix protein expression (BSP, OC).

Main Results:

• The novel white surfaces (M1-M3) exhibited knob-like structures and were composed of rutile and monoclinic sodium titanates.
• In vitro tests showed that M1-M3 surfaces induced osteoblast proliferation and influenced BSP and OC expression similarly to the clinically used Ticer material.
• Commercially pure titanium (Ti cp) and subtracted surfaces (SS) displayed different in vitro cellular responses compared to the novel and Ticer surfaces.

Conclusions:

• The newly developed white titanium surfaces demonstrate comparable in vitro biological behavior to the clinically successful Ticer implant material.
• These novel surfaces hold promise for improved esthetics due to their white color.
• The findings support the development of a new generation of white titanium dental implants with potentially enhanced clinical and esthetic outcomes.