Improving osteogenic properties of zirconia ceramic via glow discharge plasma-enhanced deposition of amine organic compound.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Osseointegration potential is greatly depended on the interaction between bone cells and dental implant surface. Since zirconia ceramic has a bioinert surface, functionalization of the surface with an organic compound allylamine was conducted to overcome its drawback of minimal interaction with the surrounding bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The zirconia surface was initially treated with argon glow discharge plasma (GDP), then combined with amine plasma at three different conditions of 50-W, 75-W and 85-W, to prepare the final samples. The surface characteristics and cell biocompatibility were then evaluated.

RESULTS

Surface morphology analysis revealed a bulbous pattern on allylamine-treated sample groups. The aromatic C-H, C-O, N-H, C ˆ C, and C-H stretching and functional groups have been identified. Surface roughness increased, and hydrophilicity improved after surface modification. Cell viability analysis showed the highest result for the allylamine 50-W (A50) group. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay indicated the A50 group had the highest activity, subsequently promoting late-stage mineralization at day 21. The reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data demonstrated a significant upregulation of osteogenic gene expressions from day 1 to day 21.

CONCLUSION

The allylamine-treated surface demonstrates immense enhancement in the surface hydrophilicity as well as in the viability, differentiation, and osteogenic properties of osteoblast-like cells. This makes it a promising candidate for future dental implant applications.