The Osteogenetic Potential of Chitosan Coated Implant: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Objective: Chitosan is a promising polymer that has been used for coating dental implants. However, research concerning coatings with implant surfaces other than commercially pure titanium is limited. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the chitosan material's effect with two degrees of deacetylation (DDA) as coatings for laser surface microtopographic implants. Methods: Sixty-three Laser-Lok (LL) implant discs were divided into three groups (21 in each group), and two groups were coated with either 80 or 95 DDA chitosan. The groups were categorized as LL 95, LL 80, or LL control. Then, hMSC-TERT 20 cells were used to evaluate the cell morphology, viability, and osteogenic capacity of the chitosan material 7 and 14 days after culture. Two-way ANOVA followed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test were used. Results: All samples were biocompatible and allowed cell attachment. However, cell spreading and attachment were noticeably increased in the LL 95 group. There was a significant increase in the expression of osteogenic markers in chitosan-coated samples compared to the control group. The 95 DDA-coated group exhibited higher ALP, Runx2, osteocalcin, and osteonectin expression compared to the 80 DDA and control groups on days 7 and 14. Conclusion: A high DDA of chitosan promotes biomineralization and osteoblast formation. Therefore, this combination of laser surface and chitosan can enhance future dental implant healing processes and osseointegration.

Keywords: Chitosan; Implant coating; Laser lock.

Figure 1:. (a) Gross view of Laser lok (LL) control, (b) Under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). (c) LL surface coated with 80 DDA, (d) Under SEM. (e) LL surface coated with 95 DDA, (f) under SEM.

Figure 2:. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. (A) Laser lok (LL) control at day 7 (B) at day 14. (C) LL surface coated with 80 DDA at day 7 (D) at day 14. (E) LL surface coated with 95 DDA at day 7. (F) At day 14. 2500 × magnification.

Figure 3:. Images of cell morphology. (A1) for LL control as all. (A2) With Phalloidin for actin filaments. (A3) Nuclei stained with DAPI. (B1) for LL 80 as all. (B2) With Phalloidin for actin filaments. (B3) Nuclei stained with DAPI. (C1) for LL 95 as all. (C2) with Phalloidin for actin filaments. (C3) Nuclei stained with DAPI.

Figure 4:. Alamar blue quantification assessed at 7 and 14 days of culture.*p < 0.05.

Figure 5:. Osteoblast gene expression at 7 and 14 days from cell culture.

Figure 6:. Alkaline phosphatase activity at 7 and 14 days of cell culture.