Microgrooves on titanium surface affect pen-implant cell adhesion and soft tissue sealing; an in vitro and in vivo study

Purpose: With the significance of stable adhesion of alveolar bone and pen-implant soft tissue on the surface of titanium for successful dental implantation procedure, the purpose of this study was to apply microgrooves on the titanium surface and investigate their effects on pen-implant cells and tissues. Methods: Three types of commercially pure titanium discs were prepared; machined-surface discs (A), sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA)-treated discs (B), SLA and microgroo discs (C). After surface topography of the discs was examined by confocal laser scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle and surface energy were measured. Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and murine osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were seeded onto the titanium discs for immunofluorescence assay of adhesion proteins. Commercially pure titanium implants with microgrooves on the coronal microthreads design were inserted into the edentulous mandible of beagle dogs. After 2 weeks and 6 weeks of implant insertion, the animal subjects were euthanized to confirm pen-implant tissue healing pattern in histologic specimens. Results: Group C presented the lowest water contact angle (62.89 +/- 5.66 0), highest surface energy (45 +/- 1.2 mN/m), and highest surface roughness (Ra = 22.351 +/- 2.766 mu m). The expression of adhesion molecules of hGFs and MC3T30E1 cells was prominent in group C. Titanium implants with microgrooves on the coronal portion showed firm adhesion to peri-mplant soft tissue. Conclusions: Microgrooves on the titanium surface promoted the adhesion of gingival fibroblasts and osteoblastic cells, as well as favorable pen-implant soft tissue sealing.