Adherence of oral streptococci to nanostructured titanium surfaces

Abstract

Objectives Peri-implantitis and peri-mucositis pose a severe threat to the success of dental implants. Current research focuses on the development of surfaces that inhibit biofilm formation while not inferring with tissue integration. This study compared the adherence of two oral bacterial species, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans to nanostructured titanium surfaces. Methods The samples included TiO2 nanotubes formed by anodization of titanium foil of 100, 50 and 15 nm diameter (NT15, NT50, NT100), a nanoporous (15 nm pore diameter) surface and compact TiO2 control. Adherent surviving bacteria were enumerated after 1 h in an artificial saliva medium containing bovine mucin. Results Lowest numbers of adherent bacteria of both species were recovered from the original titanium foil and nanoporous surface and highest numbers from the Ti100 nanotubes. Numbers of attached S. sanguinis increased in the order (NT15 < NT50