[Drug release of coated dental implant neck region to improve tissue integration].

In order to improve tissue integration, the neck region of dental implants was coated with the biodegradable polymer poly (L-lactide) incorporating tetracycline, ibuprofen and the combination of both drugs using a solvent dip-coating process. Metallographic analysis, light microscopy and electron microscopy were used to detect the thickness range and the surface characteristics of the coatings. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the tetrazolium colorimetric method with the fibroblast cell line L929. The in vitro drug release was measured in isotonic sodium chloride solution by UV spectroscopy. To explore if drug release is concentration-dependent, the total amount of drug was varied in the coating (20% wt, 30% wt and 40% wt). The results showed a continuous release of the embedded drugs in relevant dosage over a period of 6 months. In contrast to high tetracycline concentrations, high ibuprofen concentrations resulted in a decreased metabolic activity of the L929 fibroblasts.