Development of a bioactive and antibacterial surface containing Cu2O for dental implants

Abstract

The search for dental implants surfaces that prevent infections and improve the biological properties is still a challenging. This study aims to develop bioactive and antibacterial surfaces containing cooper oxide (Cu2O) onto commercially pure titanium (cpTi) discs by means of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). CpTi discs (15 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness) will be subjected to different surface modifications: machined (surface I - control); modified by PEO with calcium and phosphate solution (surface II); modified by PEO with solution of calcium, phosphate and Cu2O nanoparticles (surface III). The surfaces will be characterized as surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rt, Rz), atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, wettability and surface free energy. For the electrochemical assay, standard tests (open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic tests) will be conducted in body fluid solution (pH 7,4) to understand the corrosion kinetics and to investigate the properties of the oxide film formed on the discs surface. For biological tests, murine osteoprogenitor cell line (MC3T3E1) will be used. The cell structure and morphology will be evaluated by SEM. The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) will be used to check the levels of osteogenic genes expression. MTT assay will be used to assess cell viability. The influence of surface treatment on the adsorption of serum proteins (albumin, fibrinogen and fibronectin) will be determined by the bicinchoninic acidic method. For microbiological test, the biofilm composed of Streptococcus sanguinis will be formed onto the discs surfaces. The log of colony forming units will be determined (log CFU), and the biofilm structure will be analyzed by SEM. Quantitative data will be submitted to the most appropriate statistical analysis with 5% significance level. The number of specimens for each test will be determined after the pilot study. (AU)