Abstract
Currently, along with titanium (Ti), zirconia is widely used as an abutment material for dental implants because it makes it possible to avoid gingival discoloration; however, the epithelial sealing capability of zirconia remains unknown. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate the localization of integrin β4 subunit (Inβ4), one of the main proteins in the attachment structure between gingival junctional epithelial (JE) cells and substrata. Maxillary first molars were extracted from rats, and implants were placed with Ti or zirconia transgingival parts; then, the localization of Inβ4 was observed. Morphological and functional changes in rat oral epithelial cells (OECs) cultured on a culture dish (Dish) and Ti and zirconia plates were also evaluated with Inβ4 immunofluorescence histochemistry and Western blotting. After four weeks of implant placement, the morphology of the peri-implant epithelium (PIE) and the localization of Inβ4 around the Ti and zirconia transgingival parts were similar. However, both exhibited markedly shorter Inβ4-positive bands in the PIE than in the JE around natural teeth. Decreased expression levels of Inβ4 were observed in OECs cultured on Ti and zirconia plates compared with those cultured on Dish. In conclusion, although inferior to natural teeth, zirconia implants are thought to have epithelial sealing properties comparable to those of titanium.
Highlights
Possessing excellent characteristics for osseointegration and soft tissue integration, titanium (Ti) is widely used as a dental implant material
This protein dimer operates as a receptor of laminin-332, which is a major component of the basal lamina on the enamel surface [5]
Similar expressions of integrin β4 subunit (Inβ4) in cells cultured on Ti and zirconia were consistent with our animal surfaces presented a superior cell attachment count in comparison to those seeded onto hydrophobic titanium surfaces [17], and both αv and β3 integrin subunits were downregulated in osteoblastic cells on hydrophobic surfaces [18]
Summary
Possessing excellent characteristics for osseointegration and soft tissue integration, titanium (Ti) is widely used as a dental implant material. In patient-defined success criteria for dental implant treatment, esthetics and occlusal function are emphasized In this context, zirconia was introduced in implantology owing to its superb physical strength and white color, avoiding gingival discoloration [1,2]. Integrin (In) α6β4 is a transmembrane protein dimer of JE cells, and it is a main component of hemidesmosomes [3,4] This protein dimer operates as a receptor of laminin-332, which is a major component of the basal lamina on the enamel surface [5]. This anchorage between Inα6β4 and laminin-332 offers a secure seal between enamel and JE
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