Ag-plasma modification enhances bone apposition around titanium dental implants: an animal study in Labrador dogs

Abstract

Dental implants with proper antibacterial ability as well as ideal osseointegration are being actively pursued. The antimicrobial ability of titanium implants can be significantly enhanced via modification with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). However, the high mobility of Ag NPs results in their potential cytotoxicity. The silver plasma immersion ion-implantation (Ag-PIII) technique may remedy the defect. Accordingly, Ag-PIII technique was employed in this study in an attempt to reduce the mobility of Ag NPs and enhance osseointegration of sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) dental implants. Briefly, 48 dental implants, divided equally into one control and three test groups (further treated by Ag-PIII technique with three different implantation parameters), were inserted in the mandibles of six Labrador dogs. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were used to investigate the surface topography, chemical states, and silver release of SLA- and Ag-PIII-treated titanium dental implants. The implant stability quotient examination, Microcomputed tomography evaluation, histological observations, and histomorphometric analysis were performed to assess the osseointegration effect in vivo. The results demonstrated that normal soft tissue healing around dental implants was observed in all the groups, whereas the implant stability quotient values in Ag-PIII groups were higher than that in the SLA group. In addition, all the Ag-PIII groups, compared to the SLA-group, exhibited enhanced new bone formation, bone mineral density, and trabecular pattern. With regard to osteogenic indicators, the implants treated with Ag-PIII for 30 minutes and 60 minutes, with the diameter of the Ag NPs ranging from 5–25 nm, were better than those treated with Ag-PIII for 90 minutes, with the Ag NPs diameter out of that range. These results suggest that Ag-PIII technique can reduce the mobility of Ag NPs and enhance the osseointegration of SLA surfaces and have the potential for future use.

<p>Ta-Coated Titanium Surface With Superior Bacteriostasis And Osseointegration</p>

“…The histological analysis further confirmed that the new bone in direct contact with the SLA-Ta surface had higher BIC and BDWT (Figure 8). 37 Osseointegration might be enhanced due to the higher COL1 and OCN expression in the SLA-Ta group (Figure 9). 11,38 The in vivo evaluation showed that the Ta coating had excellent biocompatibility, and enhanced osseointegration that might make it easier for osteoblasts to win the race against bacteria.…”

Multifunctional coatings to simultaneously promote osseointegration and prevent infection of orthopaedic implants

“…[94] Meanwhile, the Ag-PIII surfaces showed good cytocompatibility with osteoblasts and facilitated higher bone volume, bone mineral density, and trabecular thickness than non-implanted surfaces in a dog model. [95] The results further suggested that an optimal silver concentration exists, and exceeding that amount can be detrimental to bone growth, emphasizing the interplay between antimicrobial functionality and osseointegration. Ag-PIII has also been combined with other elemental implantation, including magnesium, zinc, and calcium, for additional antibacterial and osteogenic efficacy.…”

“…[91] A common strategy to introduce antimicrobial character to orthopaedic materials without significantly altering or coating the implant surface is through silver implantation, specifically silver plasma immersion ion implantation (Ag-PIII). [92-95] Ag-PIII antimicrobial surfaces have been shown to have bactericidal efficacy against relevant bacterial species and to promote osteogenesis both in vitro and in vivo . The Ag-PIII process creates and embeds silver nanoparticles in substrates to ensure their long-term localization.…”

Antimicrobial Properties of the Ag, Cu Nanoparticle System

“…The average size of Ag NPs incorporated into substrates increased with increased PIII time [ 198 , 209 ], because of aggregation. However, PIII was found to reduce Ag NP cytotoxicity by constraining NP mobility on titanium substrates [ 210 ].…”