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Updated: Sep 7, 2026
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
In-vitro characterization and evaluation of innovative surface modifications of zirconia implants for the
Fabian Angerer1, R Smeets2,3, J T Strenge3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. f.angerer@uke.de.
Purpose:
This study focuses on the characterization and evaluation of innovative surface modifications of zirconia implants aimed at optimizing hard and soft tissue management.
Methods:
The cytocompatibility of newly developed ceramic implant coatings was assessed. Five different surface types were investigated: uncoated zirconia (Zr), zirconia coated with pure titanium (ZrTi), zirconia coated with calcium phosphate (CaP), zirconia coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) and zirconia coated with calcium phosphate-hydroxyapatite (CaP/HA). Cytocompatibility was assessed using L929 mouse fibroblasts and MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts. Testing was performed in both direct and indirect cell contact with the materials. In the direct contact setup, cells were cultured for 24 h on the test surfaces, followed by live/dead staining and fluorescence microscopy. In the indirect setup, material extracts were prepared and cell viability was quantified after 72 h using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cell proliferation (XTT) assays.
Results:
All tested surfaces demonstrated good cytocompatibility without significant cytotoxic effects. Supplementary scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the successful application of the coatings and provided detailed insight into surface topography and elemental composition.
Conclusion:
Calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite-coated zirconia implants represent a promising biocompatible alternative to titanium-based surfaces, with the potential to improve tissue integration and long-term clinical outcomes in ceramic dental implantology.
