PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to conduct an in vitro comparative evaluation of polished and laserdimpled titanium (Ti) surfaces to determine whether either surface has an advantage in promoting the attachment of epithelial-like cells and fibroblast to Ti. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight coin-shaped samples of commercially pure, grade 4 Ti plates were used in this study. These discs were cleaned to a surface roughness (Ra: roughness centerline average) of 180 nm by polishing and were divided into three groups: SM (n=16) had no dimples and served as the control, SM15 (n=16) had 5-microm dimples at 10-microm intervals, and SM30 (n=16) had 5-microm dimples at 25-microm intervals in a 2 x 4 mm2 area at the center of the disc. Human gingival squamous cell carcinoma cells (YD-38) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) were cultured and used in cell proliferation assays, adhesion assays, immunofluorescent staining of adhesion proteins, and morphological analysis by SEM. The data were analyzed statistically to determine the significance of differences. RESULTS: The adhesion strength of epithelial cells was higher on Ti surfaces with 5-microm laser dimples than on polished Ti surfaces, while the adhesion of fibroblasts was not significantly changed by laser treatment of implant surfaces. However, epithelial cells and fibroblasts around the laser dimples appeared larger and showed increased expression of adhesion proteins. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that laser dimpling may contribute to improving the periimplant soft tissue barrier. This study provided helpful information for developing the transmucosal surface of the abutment.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Proliferation ; Dental Implants ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Lung ; Titanium*

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to conduct an in vitro comparative evaluation of polished and laserdimpled titanium (Ti) surfaces to determine whether either surface has an advantage in promoting the attachment of epithelial-like cells and fibroblast to Ti. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight coin-shaped samples of commercially pure, grade 4 Ti plates were used in this study. These discs were cleaned to a surface roughness (Ra: roughness centerline average) of 180 nm by polishing and were divided into three groups: SM (n=16) had no dimples and served as the control, SM15 (n=16) had 5-microm dimples at 10-microm intervals, and SM30 (n=16) had 5-microm dimples at 25-microm intervals in a 2 x 4 mm2 area at the center of the disc. Human gingival squamous cell carcinoma cells (YD-38) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) were cultured and used in cell proliferation assays, adhesion assays, immunofluorescent staining of adhesion proteins, and morphological analysis by SEM. The data were analyzed statistically to determine the significance of differences. RESULTS: The adhesion strength of epithelial cells was higher on Ti surfaces with 5-microm laser dimples than on polished Ti surfaces, while the adhesion of fibroblasts was not significantly changed by laser treatment of implant surfaces. However, epithelial cells and fibroblasts around the laser dimples appeared larger and showed increased expression of adhesion proteins. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that laser dimpling may contribute to improving the periimplant soft tissue barrier. This study provided helpful information for developing the transmucosal surface of the abutment.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Proliferation ; Dental Implants ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Lung ; Titanium*

Tissue engineering approaches have emerged recently to circumvent many limitations associated with current clinical practices. This elegant approach utilizes a natural/synthetic biomaterial with optimized physiomechanical properties to serve as a vehicle for delivery of exogenous stem cells and bioactive factors or induce local recruitment of endogenous cells for in situ tissue regeneration. Inspired by the natural microenvironment, biomaterials could act as a biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) structure to help the cells establish their natural interactions. Such a strategy should not only employ a biocompatible biomaterial to induce new tissue formation but also benefit from an easily accessible and abundant source of stem cells with potent tissue regenerative potential. The human teeth and oral cavity harbor various populations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with self-renewing and multilineage differentiation capabilities. In the current review article, we seek to highlight recent progress and future opportunities in dental MSC-mediated therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration using two possible approaches, cell transplantation and cell homing. Altogether, this paper develops a general picture of current innovative strategies to employ dental-derived MSCs combined with biomaterials and bioactive factors for regenerating the lost or defective tissues and offers information regarding the available scientific data and possible applications.
Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Tissue Engineering