Microbial adherence of titanium surface coated with direct current magnetron sputtered tantalum: An in vitro study

Titanium (Ti) has been used as the main biomaterial for implant devices reason being good physical-chemical properties and favorable biocompatibility with host tissues. However, on exposure to the external environment for example the oral cavity, implants show biofilm formation and microbial adhesion that leads to infection. The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of tantalum thin-film coating on microbial adherence on CP titanium grade 4 and Ti6Al4V grade 5 alloy against S. aureus and C. albicans.

CP titanium Grade 4 and Ti-based alloy Grade 5 (control samples) and tantalum-coated Cp titanium Grade 4 and Ti-based alloy Grade 5 (test samples). Samples were tested for adhesion of S. aureus and C. albicans. The quantity and metabolic activity of biofilm obtained was measured by CV assay and MTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed. Biofilm structure was visualized with a scanning electron microscope.

Statistically significant results were obtained for C. albicans and S. aureus biofilm formation evaluated at 48 h for the amount of bacterial and fungal growth on coated (test) samples as compared to uncoated (control) samples for both CPTi grade 4 group as well as grade 5 Ti alloy. SEM images further confirmed these results.

This study concluded that surface modification of dental implant material (CPTi grade 4 group and grade 5 Ti alloy) with tantalum can influence the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Tantalum coated Titanium surface has shown a significant reduction in growth of these pathogens indicating enhanced antimicrobial activity.