Surface modification of dental implant improves implant-tissue interface

Abstract

The implant material must have optimum surface compatibility with the host epithelial tissue, connective tissue, and bone tissue. Because, dental implants, which are partially exposed to the oral cavity, must have firm contact with tissues to prevent the bacterial infection. Such materials can be created under well-controlled conditions by modifying the surfaces that contact these tissues. The rough and grooved surfaced implant contributes to a more rapid cell migration and make osseointegration during wound healing. A number of chemical and physical methods for titanium and/or zirconium surface modification have already been established. Recently, plasma treatment can control surface physiochemical properties and affect protein adsorption for bioengineering. Moreover, the motif-programming methodology to biologically modify titanium and zirconium surfaces has created interfacing artificial proteins that endowed those surfaces with cell-binding activity. These technique should improve firm contact between tissue and dental implant.