Biological properties of titanium implants covered with hydroxyapatite and zirconia layers by pulsed laser: In vitro study

Abstract

The biological and physical properties of dental implants coated by the sandwich technique with a thin layer of hydroxyapatite and an interlayer of zirconia were evaluated. The implant samples were covered by pulsed laser deposition. The aim of our study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity and the surface characteristics of the titanium targets modified with zirconia and hydroxyapatite. The titanium substrates were analyzed physically by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. We used a direct test of cytotoxicity to compare the prepared samples with other reference materials. No changes in the morphology or the proliferation rate of the cells used were found in the presence of the modified titanium targets. The adhesion, proliferation, and fibronectin expressions of human fibroblasts were also evaluated on the surface of the modified titanium targets. The results show that the modified titanium samples are at least as attractive as the tissue grade polystyrene in promoting fibroblasts’ adhesion and proliferation. The results show adhesion and cell proliferation, which in turn implies that the studied material is not cytotoxic and is suitable for cell colonization. Titanium modified with zirconia and hydroxyapatite can be beneficially employed in oral bone surgery.