Keratinocyte-Specific Peptide-Based Surfaces for Hemidesmosome Upregulation and Prevention of Bacterial Colonization.

Percutaneous devices like orthopedic prosthetic implants for amputees, catheters, and dental implants suffer from high infection rates. A critical aspect mediating peri-implant infection of dental implants is the lack of a structural barrier between the soft tissue and the implant surface which could impede bacteria access and colonization of exposed implant surfaces. Parafunctional soft tissue regeneration around dental implants is marked by a lack of hemidesmosome formation and thereby weakened mechanical attachment.

Physical-chemical interactions between dental materials surface, salivary pellicle and Streptococcus gordonii.

Dental materials are susceptible to dental plaque formation, which increases the risk of biofilm-associated oral diseases. Physical-chemical properties of dental material surfaces can affect salivary pellicle formation and bacteria attachment, but relationships between these properties have been understudied. We aimed to assess the effects of surface properties and adsorbed salivary pellicle on Streptococcus gordonii adhesion to traditional dental materials.

Peptide coatings enhance keratinocyte attachment towards improving the peri-implant mucosal seal.

There is a critical need for preventing peri-implantitis as its prevalence has increased and dental implants lack features to prevent it. Research strategies to prevent peri-implantitis have focused on modifying dental implants to incorporate different antimicrobial agents. An alternative strategy consists of barring the expansion of the biofilm subgingivally by forming a long-lasting permucosal seal between the soft tissue and the implant surface.