Influence on Bone-to-Implant Contact of Non-Thermal Low-Pressure Argon Plasma: An Experimental Study in Rats

Arturo Sanchez-Perez,Ana I Nicolas-Silvente,Fernando Muñoz-Guzon,Carlos Navarro-Cuellar,Georgios E Romanos,Carmen Sanchez-Matas

doi:10.3390/app10093069

Arturo Sanchez-Perez, Ana I Nicolas-Silvente + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093069

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Abstract

Roughness characteristics play an essential role in osseointegration. However, there is a concern about the susceptibility of those surfaces to bacterial colonization. New techniques for cleaning and surface treatment have appeared that could favor osseointegration without the need to create surfaces as rough. Such is the case of non-thermal low-pressure argon plasma (NTLP-ArP). One hundred and forty-four implants were placed in the tibiae of 36 Sprague Dawley rats, distributed in four experimental groups: I: mechanized surface; II: mechanized surface treated with NTLP-ArP, III: resorbable blast media (RBM) surface; and IV: RBM surface treated with (NTLP-ArP). Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) percentages were calculated by microtomographic evaluation and histological analysis at one, two, and four weeks after implant placement. ANOVA and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis, establishing p < 0.05. No significant differences were found at one-week comparisons. The groups treated with NTLP-ArP obtained higher BIC% than those not treated at two and four weeks. Mechanized surfaces treated with NTLP-ArP obtained BIC values similar to RBM surfaces.

Highlights

In recent years, Branemark-type implants with a mechanized surface have been considered the gold standard in modern implantology, leading to a predictable behavior [1]
The present study aimed to evaluate the influence on the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) of nonthermal low-pressure argon plasma (NTLP-ArP) over two different implant surfaces: a mechanized
The present study aimed to evaluate the influence on the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) of non-thermal low-pressure argon plasma (NTLP-ArP) over two different implant surfaces: a mechanized implant surface, with a smooth surface (Ra < 0.5 μm) and a resorbable blast media (RBM) surface that was moderately rough (Ra 1.0–2.0 μm) [16]

Summary

Introduction

Branemark-type implants with a mechanized surface have been considered the gold standard in modern implantology, leading to a predictable behavior [1]. Several studies demonstrated that the biocompatibility and cell viability could be improved [2] by modifying the roughness of the implant surface using different techniques [3]. Biomaterials and stem cells have been frequently combined, representing a common strategy for bone tissue engineering applications [5]. This roughness in the implant surface seems to be one of the essential factors in achieving adequate osseointegration [6,7]. With the creation of these new surfaces, the time needed to achieve osseointegration was reduced due to the improvement in osteoconduction and

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