Femtosecond Laser-Textured Titanium Surfaces to Improve Peri-Implant Health
Peri-implantitis is triggered by biofilm buildup around dental implant abutments which can lead to inflammation, infection and ultimately implant failure. One major goal in implant design is to improve soft-tissue integration around the abutment to creating a protective barrier against microbial invasion. This study explores the use of femtosecond laser processing to fabricate laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on titanium (LIPSS-Ti), investigating their impact on biological interactions, particularly protein adsorption and the response of primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). A comprehensive suite of surface characterization techniques—including SEM, AFM, FIB, XPS, confocal microscopy, zeta potential and contact angle measurements—was employed to analyze the modified surfaces. The resulting nanoscale textures, similar in size to cellular filopodia, exhibited elevated titanium oxide formation. LIPSS-Ti had a greater contact angle hysteresis and enhanced protein adsorption which was confirmed through in-situ measurements and streaming current analysis. Biological assessments revealed that LIPSS-Ti surfaces promoted robust HGF adhesion and proliferation, with over 80% cell viability after seven days, as shown by XTT assays and complemented by live/dead staining. SEM imaging further demonstrated cell alignment along the LIPSS orientation. Overall, the results underscore the potential of LIPSS-Ti in enhancing soft-tissue integration and provide valuable insights into the relationship between surface micro-nanostructure, chemistry and biological performance which are the critical factors for the long-term success of dental implants.