Effects of Titanium Nano-Foveolae Surfaces on Human Gingival Fibroblasts

A proper soft tissue seal between implants and gingiva is critical for success of dental implants. Implant surface modification is an important approach for achieving ideal host-implant integration. In this study, we used a new and simple oxidation method to generate a rough surface on implants at the nano scale, which oxidized titanium nano-foveolae (TiNF) surface. We further analyzed the surface topography and tested its effects on biological activities of human gingival fibroblasts. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination demonstrated that TiNF disks displayed uniform rough surfaces, with average TiNF diameters of approximately 60 nm and 100 nm respectively. However, the surfaces of smooth samples were highly irregular, and cell adhesion and proliferation rates on TiNF surfaces were significantly higher than those of the smooth surfaces. Extracellular matrix synthesis was also increased in the cells that interacted with oxidized TiNF surfaces. Altogether, these results suggest that the TiNF implant surfaces perform better for human gingival fibroblast biological activities compared to traditional smooth surfaces. Therefore, the TiNF implant surfaces may serve as ideal interface to facilitate implant-host integration.