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Nanostructured surface reduces bacterial growth, accelerates post implantation wound healing

Scanning electron microscopy image: Escherichia coli bacteria attempting to adhere to a nanostructured model surface. (Photograph: Patrick Doll/KIT)

Wed. 25 July 2018

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KARLSRUHE, Germany: Micro- and nanotechnology are gaining importance in the medical field and particularly in implantology. Dental implants provide a great way of improving patients’ quality of life. However, the risk of inflammation still exists and could, at worst, lead to the removal of a patient’s implant. To address this issue, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with experts in dental implants, have now developed a nanostructured surface that reduces the growth of bacteria to accelerate wound healing after implantation.

Titanium is the material of choice for implants because it is biocompatible and ensures good osseointegration. So far, optimisation of dental implants has focused mainly on the titanium surface in order to further improve this process. However, tissue around dental implants may become inflamed even after successful osseointegration.

The main target for bacteria is the abutment. If the gingival tissue does not properly grow onto the abutment, pockets may form through which bacteria can reach the jawbone and cause inflammation. If this occurs, the whole implant has to be removed. KIT’s Biomedical Microtechnology (BioMEMS) team at the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) wanted to solve this problem. Their research is based on an optimised abutment developed by the implant manufacturer abutments4life, a partner of the project. Grooves smaller than the width of a hair run around the abutment and guide the cells responsible for wound healing in the right direction. In this way, tissue repair is accelerated. “This system is our point of departure,” said Patrick Doll, a PhD student at the IMT. Further development focuses on two aspects: more precise structuring of the grooves for better guidance of the cells, and the search for an optimal nanosurface to which bacteria cannot attach.

With an electron beam lithography system, Doll produced columnar structures, which were then used to carry out adhesion experiments with typical test bacteria. Moreover, the structures were constantly varied. The results demonstrated that, depending on the distance and arrangement of the columns, adhesion of bacteria was reduced and formation of a biofilm was delayed. Hence, recovering cells would have more time to close the wound, an effect that could otherwise be achieved by antibiotics only.

“We think that our structural approach is very promising,” emphasised Doll. The production of the silicon-based nanostructures is accurate and reproducible. In the course of the project, the researchers also developed methods for the transfer to titanium. After concluding the first phase in the laboratory, preclinical tests will follow. Apart from dentistry, the experts see application potential for bone plates, cochlear implants and artificial joints, among others.

“Microtechnology can sustainably improve dental implants,” concluded Prof. Andreas Guber and Dr Ralf Ahrens, who head the BioMEMS research group.

The project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Biological investigations were carried out by the Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology at the Medical Centre of the University of Freiburg in Germany.

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