Nitride-Coated and Anodic-Oxidized Titanium Promote a Higher Fibroblast and Reduced <em>Streptococcus gordonii</em> Proliferation Compared to the Uncoated Titanium

Abstract

Titanium shows optimal biocompatibility properties; however, its gray color may be a limit for aesthetic results of dental rehabilitations. Some surface treatments that change the color of the material have been proposed. The aim of this study is to, in vitro, investigate the biocompatibility of the surfaces subjected to titanium nitride (NiT) coating and anodic-oxidized (AO) treatment and their propensity to impair bacterial proliferation. The viability of primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) has been evaluated through a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay in three experimental groups: uncoated titanium (UNCOATED), titanium nitride (NiT)-coated surface, and anodic-oxidized (AO) titanium. Bacterial proliferation experiments were performed using a Streptococcus gordonii clinical isolate in contact with the three different above-mentioned materials. The treated surfaces (NiT and AO) showed a significantly higher fibroblast proliferation than the uncoated titanium alloy (p Streptococcus gordonii growth was significantly higher on the untreated titanium (p < 0.05).

Keywords

• titanium-nitride
• anodic-oxidized
• surface coating
• biocompatibility
• <i>Streptococcus gordonii</i>