Effect of Different Surface Treatment on Osteoblastic Activity of Zirconia Implant Material: An In vitro Study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different surface treatment on the osteoblastic activity of zirconia. The success of endosseous implants is directly related to the principle of osseointegration. As the surface topography of a biomaterial has a major impact on osseointegration. A total of 60 samples of Zirconia discs was fabricated and divided into three groups. Group 1[n-20]: Zirconia without treatment; Group 2 [n-20]: Zirconia treatment with sand blasting / acid etching; Group 3 [n-20]: Zirconia treatment with UV light. After, the surface treatment all the three groups were subjected to SEM scanning electron microscope to determine the surface roughness and topography. Human osteoblastic sarcoma cells were seeded on the test material at density of 1 X 104 cells / cm2 and incubated for 48 hrs at 37 + 10c under humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO . After 48 hours cell seeded test material and glass cover slips was fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde. SEM was done to evaluate adhesion of osteoblastic cells and colony formation on the zirconia discs and compared between the groups. There was marked osteoblast adhesion seen in the zirconia discs treated with UV light followed by etching and sand blasting, as compared to zirconia discs without surface treatment. The cell adhesion in Group I Samples were having less spread of Osteoblastic cells and had fewer osteoblastic cell colonies. Group II Samples were having more distinct spread of osteoblastic cells than group I. However, they had fewer osteoblastic cell colonies. The cell adhesion seen in group III (UV Photofunctionalisation) were showing more prominent osteoblast cells that was scattered throughout the Sample and showed better adhesion as compared to Group I and Group II. Further animal studies should be carried out. This being an invitro study cannot fully translate into in vivo conditions. In vivo conditions tissue response has to be evaluated.