Evaluation of Osteoconductive and Antimicrobial Properties of Novel Graphene on Dental Implants: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction Graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising material in dentistry, leveraging its exceptional properties. This study evaluates the physicochemical attributes of GO and elucidates its derived biological properties. These encompass biocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, as well as its influence on osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation processes. Understanding the intricate interplay between the physicochemical and biological aspects of GO provides valuable insights into its potential applications in various dental contexts. Materials and methods The study group (so; titanium discs surface coated with GO) and the control group (co; plain/uncoated machined titanium discs) were divided based on cell attachment and cell proliferation assays (n=60). These groups were further divided into subgroups (n=30) based on the tested time intervals, specifically 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. The study and controlgroups were further subdivided into three subgroups (n=10) based on the microorganisms tested i.e Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacteria nucleatum. Results The results of this in vitro study suggest that GO-coated titanium dental implants have both increased osteogenic potential and antimicrobial efficacy. Graphene has good potential as a promising alternative to traditional surface treatments, and a graphene-coated implant can be used for enhanced osseointegration. Conclusion The osteogenic potential and the cell attachment were higher on titanium surfaces coated with GO nanoparticles when compared to plain titanium discs at 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively.

Keywords: bacterial strains; graphene oxide; implant coating; implant osseointegration; surface modification.

Figure 1. Zone of inhibition against peri-implant pathogens; A: Porphyromonas gingivalis B: Prevotella intermedia C: Fusobacteria nucleatum.

Figure 2. FE-SEM was performed to see the differentiation of the osteoblasts.

FE-SEM: Field emission scanning electron microscopy Model: mira3 lmh; Tescan, Brno, Czech Republic

Figure 3. Alizarin red assay to evaluate cell differentiation.

Figure 4. Comparison of study group and control group with colony forming units (CFU) counts with respect to zone of inhibition in three organisms