Fabrication and evaluation of antimicrobial biomimetic nanofiber coating for improved dental implant bioseal: An in vitro study.

Background: A weak implant-soft tissue interface may lead to bacterial ingression, breakdown of underlying tissues, and eventually implant failure. This study proposes a surface modification technique of titanium alloy (Ti), using a nano-biopolymer scaffold to enhance soft tissue attachment in dental implants.

Methods: Gelatin (20% w/v) embedded with 10 ± 2 nm silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was electrospun to form a gelatin electrospun mat (GEM) scaffold, bonded to Ti alloy surface using chemical surface functionalization. Antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was tested against representative Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) at 4, 24, and 48 hours and after embedding in scaffold at 48 hours. Cytotoxicity analysis (MTT assay) was performed using the 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line at 24 and 72 hours for two groups: control (unmodified Ti disc) and experimental (GEM embedded with AgNPs); and further validated by scanning electron microscopy.

Results: The AgNPs-embedded GEM showed good antimicrobial activity at 48 hours, with the AgNPs showing complete (99.99%) inhibition of bacterial colony counts at 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability and proliferation over the GEM modified Ti discs were seen to be significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 72 hours as compared with control. SEM images revealed intimate spreading of fibroblasts, with differentiated cell morphology and pseudopodial processes, indicative of enhanced fibroblastic adhesion, growth, and differentiation over the scaffold.

Conclusion: Results show good antifouling properties and biocompatibility of the fabricated coating, making it a promising strategy to reduce postoperative infections and peri-implant diseases in Ti dental implants.