Factors influencing osteoblast maturation on microgrooved titanium substrata

In this study, we demonstrate surfaces with various dimensions of microgrooves fabricated by photolithography and subsequent acid etching that enhance various characteristics of titanium. Microgrooves with truncated V-shape in cross-section from 15 to 90 μm widths enabled us to report their exclusive effects on altering the surface chemistry and on enhancing the surface hydrophilicity, serum protein adsorption and osteoblast maturation on titanium substrata in a microgroove dimension-dependent manner. Further, acid etching and measurement direction separately affected the surface hydrophilicity results. By multiple correlation and regression analyses, surface chemistry, surface hydrophilicity and serum protein adsorption were determined to be the significant influential factors on osteoblast maturation. Within the limitations of this study, we conclude that combined submicron- and microtopography with relevant micro-dimension and structure enhance various characteristics of titanium, including surface hydrophilicity, which act as the essential factors influencing the osteoblast maturation on microgrooved titanium substrata.