Evaluation of Sandblasting on Mechanical Properties and Cell Response of Bioactive Glass Infiltrated Zirconia.

This study investigated the mechanical properties and initial cell response of bioactive glass infiltrated zirconia before and after sandblasting. One hundred zirconia specimens were divided into the following four groups: untreated zirconia (ZR), sandblasted zirconia (ZS), glass infiltrated zirconia (ZG), and sandblasted glass infiltrated zirconia (ZGS). Surface roughness, biaxial flexural strength, hardness and osteoblast cells proliferation were evaluated. ZGS group showed a slight decrease in hardness. However it has improvement in flexural strength (686.2 MPa). After sandblasting, the ZGS group had the highest surface roughness (R a = 1.24 µm) with enhanced osteoblast cells response. Our results indicated that sandblasting method can improve the mechanical properties of bioactive glass infiltrated zirconia with better osteoblast cell response. This new surface is promising for zirconia dental implant application in the future.

Focal adhesion linker proteins expression of fibroblast related to adhesion in response to different transmucosal abutment surfaces.

PURPOSE: To evaluate adherence of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to transmucosal abutment of dental implant with different surface conditions with time and to investigate the roles of focal adhesion linker proteins (FALPs) involved in HGFs adhesion to abutment surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Morphologies of cultured HGFs on titanium and ceramic discs with different surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Biocompatibility and focal adhesion were evaluated by ultrasonic wave application and cell viability assay. FALPs expression levels were assessed by RT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: There seemed to be little difference in biocompatibility and adhesion strength of HGFs depending on the surface conditions and materials. In all experimental groups, the number of cells remaining on the disc surface after ultrasonic wave application increased more than 2 times at 3 days after seeding compared to 1-day cultured cells and this continued until 7 days of culture. FALPs expression levels, especially of vinculin and paxillin, also increased in 5-day cultured cells compared to 1-day cultured fibroblasts on the disc surface. CONCLUSION: These results might suggest that the strength of adhesion of fibroblasts to transmucosal abutment surfaces increases with time and it seemed to be related to expressions of FALPs.