One-Step Synthesis of Versatile Antimicrobial Nano-Architected Implant Coatings for Hard and Soft Tissue Healing

Abstract

Dental implant failure remains a prevalent problem around the globe. The integration of implants at the interface of soft and hard tissues is complex and susceptible to instability and infections. Modifications to the surface of titanium implants have been developed to improve the performance, yet insufficient integration and biofilm formation remain major problems. Introducing nanostructures on the surface to augment the implant–tissue contact holds promise for facilitated implant integration; however, current coating processes are limited in their versatility or costs. We present a highly modular single-step approach to produce multicomponent porous bioactive nanostructured coatings on implants. Inorganic nanoparticle building blocks with complex compositions and architectures are synthesized in situ and deposited on the implants in a single step using scalable liquid-feed flame spray pyrolysis. We present hybrid coatings based on ceria and bioglass, which render the implant surfaces superhydrophilic, promote cell adhesion, and exhibit antimicrobial properties. By modifications to the bioglass/ceria nanohybrid composition and architecture that prevent biomineralization, the coating can instead be tailored toward soft tissue healing. The one-step synthesis of nano-architected tissue-specific coatings has great potential in dental implantology and beyond.