The impact of hyaluronic acid coating on polyether ether ketone dental implant surface: An in vitro analysis

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a biocompatible polymer, is being explored as an alternative to metallic alloys for dental implants due to its aesthetic and mechanical properties. This study aimed to enhance the surface biofunctionality through evaluating human MG-63 osteoblastic cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization.

Following the sandblasting and plasma treatment of the 3D-printed PEEK discs, a layer of hyaluronic acid (Hya) was coated onto the PEEK surface. Osteoblast cells were seeded onto the discs. The groups consisted of Hya-coated PEEK, uncoated PEEK, and a control group. Cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization potential were examined after seven and twenty-one days of cell seeding using the MTT test, DAPI staining technique, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and alizarin red staining.

Hya-coated PEEK increased cell viability (1.48 ± 0.13, 1.49 ± 0.09) compared to the uncoated group (1.19 ± 0.06, 1.26 ± 0.07) and control group (0.98 ± 0.04, 1.00 ± 0.07) after 7 and 21 days. Proliferation rates of coated group (60.50 ± 3.08) were greater than the uncoated (50.33 ± 2.58) and control group (38.33 ± 4.88) at 21 days, respectively. Additionally, the ALP activity on Hya-coated PEEK disks (5.55 ± 0.65, 7.54 ± 0.64) was notably higher than that of the uncoated group (1.08 ± 0.49, 2.59 ± 0.68), and control group (0.16 ± 0.09, 0.34 ± 0.18) at both time periods. Alizarin red staining in the Hya-coated PEEK group (1.81 ± 0.23, 1.97 ± 0.20) was significantly greater in comparison with uncoated group (1.12 ± 0.17, 1.14 ± 0.19) and control group (0.99 ± 0.10, 0.98 ± 0.05) at both time intervals.

Hya's surface coating has enhanced the biofunctional properties of PEEK implant material, as demonstrated by improved cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization potential.