Isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on zirconia induce guided cell growth for dental implants

Titanium implants are the gold standard in dentistry; however, problems such as gingival tarnishing and peri-implantitis have been reported. For zirconia to become a competitive alternative dental implant material, surface modification techniques that induce guided tissue growth must be developed.ObjectivesTo develop alternative surface modification techniques to promote guided tissue regeneration on zirconia materials, for applications in dental implantology.MethodsA methodology that combined soft lithography and sol–gel chemistry was used to obtain isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates. The materials were characterized via chemical, structural, surface morphology approaches. In vitro biological behavior was evaluated in terms of early adhesion and viability/metabolic activity of human osteoblast-like cells. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA/Tukey HSD post hoc test.ResultsIsotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates were obtained using a combined approach based on sol–gel technology and soft lithography. Micropatterned silica surfaces exhibited a biocompatible behavior, and modulated cell responses (i.e. inducing early alignment of osteoblast-like cells). After 7 d of culture, the cells fully covered the top surfaces of pillar microstructured silica films.SignificanceThe micropatterned silica films on zirconia showed a biocompatible response, and were capable of inducing guided osteoblastic cell adhesion, spreading and propagation. The results herein presented suggest that surface-modified ceramic implants via soft lithography and sol–gel chemistry could potentially be used to guide periodontal tissue regeneration, thus promoting tight tissue apposition, and avoiding gingival retraction and peri-implantitis.