Effect of Superhydrophobic Titanium Surface on Initial Salivary Pellicle Acquisition and Oral Biofilm Formatio

Colonization by oral microorganisms on dental abutment surfaces can result in inflammatory reactions such as peri-implantitis that may ultimately jeopardize the long-term prognosis of the dental implant. Previous studies have shown that superhydrophobic surfaces reduced bacterial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of superhydrophobic modified titanium (SH-Ti) surface on salivary pellicle acquisition and development of a multi-species oral biofilm. Our results showed that SH-Ti substrates significantly reduced the volume of salivary pellicle. Surprisingly, superhydrophobicity did not prevent biofilm formation. SH-Ti had an increase in live cells and a decrease in dead cells in 72-h-old biofilm in comparison with non-treated surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that SH-Ti surfaces increased bacterial colonization preferentially in the micro-topographical crevices. In conclusion, our results indicate that modification of surface wettability may affect the biological response around the dental implant and abutment.