Gingival fibroblasts behavior on bioactive zirconia and titanium dental implant surfaces produced by a functionally graded technique.

Adding a biological apatite layer to the implant surface enhances bone healing around the implant. Objective This study aimed to characterize the mechanical properties and test human gingival fibroblasts behavior in contact with Zirconia and Titanium bioactive-modified implant materials. Methodology 6 groups were considered: Titanium (Ti6Al4V), Ti6Al4V with 5% HA and 5% ßTCP, Zirconia (YTZP), YTZP with 5% HA and 5% ßTCP. For each group, we produced discs using a novel fabrication method for functionally graded materials, under adequate conditions for etching and grit-blasting to achieve equivalent surface microroughness among the samples. Surface roughness (Ra, Rz), water contact angle, shear bond strength, and Vickers hardness were performed. Human gingival fibroblasts immortalized by hTERT gene from the fourth passage, were seeded on discs for 14 days. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using a resazurin-based method, and cellular adhesion and morphology using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). After 3 days of culture, images of fluorescent nucleic acid stain were collected by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). We compared groups using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test, and significance level was set at p<0.05. After 14 days of culture, cell viability and proliferation were significantly higher in YTZP group than in other groups (p<0.05). Samples of YTZP-ßTCP presented significantly higher wettability (p<0.05); yet, we observed no improvement in cell behavior on this group. Fibroblast spreading and surface density were more evident on YTZP specimens. Adding calcium-phosphate bioactive did not alter the tested mechanical properties; however, Ti6Al4V material shear bond strength was statistically higher than other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion Adding bioactive materials did not improve soft-tissue cell behavior. When compared to other zirconia and titanium groups, pure zirconia surface improved adhesion, viability and proliferation of fibroblasts. Cell behavior seems to depend on surface chemical composition rather than on surface roughness.

Gingival fibroblasts behavior on bioactive zirconia and titanium dental implant surfaces produced by a functionally graded technique

Abstract Adding a biological apatite layer to the implant surface enhances bone healing around the implant. Objective This study aimed to characterize the mechanical properties and test human gingival fibroblasts behavior in contact with Zirconia and Titanium bioactive-modified implant materials. Methodology 6 groups were considered: Titanium (Ti6Al4V), Ti6Al4V with 5% HA and 5% ßTCP, Zirconia (YTZP), YTZP with 5% HA and 5% ßTCP. For each group, we produced discs using a novel fabrication method for functionally graded materials, under adequate conditions for etching and grit-blasting to achieve equivalent surface microroughness among the samples. Surface roughness (Ra, Rz), water contact angle, shear bond strength, and Vickers hardness were performed. Human gingival fibroblasts immortalized by hTERT gene from the fourth passage, were seeded on discs for 14 days. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using a resazurin-based method, and cellular adhesion and morphology using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). After 3 days of culture, images of fluorescent nucleic acid stain were collected by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). We compared groups using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test, and significance level was set at p<0.05. After 14 days of culture, cell viability and proliferation were significantly higher in YTZP group than in other groups (p<0.05). Samples of YTZP-ßTCP presented significantly higher wettability (p<0.05); yet, we observed no improvement in cell behavior on this group. Fibroblast spreading and surface density were more evident on YTZP specimens. Adding calcium-phosphate bioactive did not alter the tested mechanical properties; however, Ti6Al4V material shear bond strength was statistically higher than other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion Adding bioactive materials did not improve soft-tissue cell behavior. When compared to other zirconia and titanium groups, pure zirconia surface improved adhesion, viability and proliferation of fibroblasts. Cell behavior seems to depend on surface chemical composition rather than on surface roughness.

Fluorescence of natural teeth and restorative materials, methods for analysis and quantification: A literature review.

OBJECTIVE: This review integrates published scientific information about the fluorescence of natural teeth, dental resins and ceramics, and the main methods of analysis and quantification presented in the literature. OVERVIEW: Fluorescence is an emission of light (photons) by a substance that has absorbed light of higher energy. In natural teeth, it is more intense in the dentin than in the enamel and presents a bluish-white color. In dental resins and ceramics, fluorescence is obtained by the incorporation of materials that contain rare-earth luminescence centers (more precisely lanthanide luminescence centers), which allows these artificial materials to simulate natural teeth in a more beautiful and vital-looking way. However, the lack of knowledge about this optical phenomenon on the part of professionals indicates the need for more scientific studies and dissemination on this topic. CONCLUSIONS: Aesthetic materials have variable spectral compositions and fluorescence intensities, which are not always compatible with natural teeth. The fluorescence of teeth and restorative materials can be influenced by several factors, such as aging, temperature, and bleaching. Several devices for fluorescence evaluation and quantification are used in studies under different methodologies, but the small number of studies on the subject make it difficult to compare their results. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Fluorescence is a fundamental optical property for aesthetic rehabilitations since its presence and intensity in the restorative materials allows achieving an aesthetic result much closer to reality. However, the fluorescent behavior of natural teeth and aesthetic restorative materials is not yet fully understood by researchers and clinicians. Greater understanding of this phenomenon will contribute to the selection, indication, and clinical use of these materials.