Atmospheric plasma enhances wettability and cell spreading on dental implant metals

Objectives Treatment regimens, which predictably support re-osseointegration of implants with peri-implantitis, are needed. Increased wettability may be an important factor for re-osseointegration. In this study, a cold atmospheric pressure gas-discharge plasma was applied to reduce water contact angles on titanium discs with different surface topography and to improve the spreading of osteoblastic cells. Material and Methods An argon plasma jet with different oxygen admixtures was used to treat titanium discs with different topologies, i.e. machined, SLA®, SLActive®, diamond bur-treated or Airflow®-treated. Water contact angles were measured before and after plasma treatment. The spreading behaviour of human osteoblastic cells was investigated. Results Contact angle of titanium discs (baseline values: 68°–117°) were significantly reduced close to 0° irrespective of surface topography after the application of argon plasma with 1.0% oxygen admixture for 60 s or 120 s. The cell size of osteoblastic cells grown on argon-oxygen-plasma-treated titanium discs was significantly larger than on non-treated surfaces (p < 0.001) irrespective of surface topography. Conclusions Plasma treatment reduced contact angle and supported spreading of osteoblastic cells. The application of cold plasma may be supportive in the treatment of peri-implant lesions and may improve the process of re-osseointegration.