Electrophoretic deposition of novel semi-permeable coatings on 3D-printed Ti-Nb alloy meshes for guided alveolar bone regeneration

Danlei Zhao; Haoran Dong; Yuting Niu; Wenjie Fan; Muqi Jiang; Ke Li; Qingsong Wei; William M Palin; Zhen Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2021.12.026

Electrophoretic deposition of novel semi-permeable coatings on 3D-printed Ti-Nb alloy meshes for guided alveolar bone regeneration

Dent Mater. 2022 Feb;38(2):431-443. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.12.026. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Authors

Danlei Zhao¹, Haoran Dong², Yuting Niu², Wenjie Fan², Muqi Jiang², Ke Li², Qingsong Wei³, William M Palin⁴, Zhen Zhang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China; State Key Lab of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials, Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
² Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China.
³ State Key Lab of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials, Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
⁴ Dental and Biomaterials Sciences, School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: W.M.Palin@bham.ac.uk.
⁵ Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China; Dental and Biomaterials Sciences, School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: zhangzhentitanium@163.com.

PMID: 34980490
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.12.026

Abstract

Objective: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques use barrier membranes to augment the alveolar ridge for the site-specific growth of bone defects. However, current approaches using cast metal substructures exhibit poor adaptation to the surgical site and increased risk of infection. This study aimed to fabricate multi-functional coatings with 3D-printed porous titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy meshes to maintain space, prevent the ingrowth of fibroblasts and inhibit the colonization of bacteria for GBR.

Methods: Ti-Nb alloy meshes were prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) and used as substrates for novel surface coatings. Porous chitosan (CS)/ gelatin (G)/ doxycycline (Dox) coatings were formed on the meshes using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and freeze-drying. The process of EPD was characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential, and particle size analysis. The cytotoxicity of the coatings was evaluated through the culture of osteoblasts and immunostaining. The antibacterial activity of the coatings was tested using inhibition zone tests against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The inhibition of fibroblasts infiltration and nutrients transfer properties were analyzed using immunostaining and permeability tests.

Results: High yield strength (567.5 ± 3.5 MPa) and low elastic modulus (65.5 ± 0.2 GPa) were achieved in Ti-Nb alloy bulk samples. The data of zeta potential, FT-IR and SEM indicated that porous spongy coatings were chemically bonded following EPD. In vitro analysis of CSGDox1 (containing Dox at 1 mg·mL^-1) coating revealed its antibacterial effect and biocompatibility. Moreover, the CSGDox1 coating was proved to be effective for preventing the ingrowth of fibroblasts, whilst allowing the infiltration of nutrients.

Significance: This study verified that the EPD of CSGDox coatings on the 3D-printed Ti-Nb meshes can maintain space, provide antibiotic release whilst maintaining a barrier against soft-tissue growth, which is essential for the success of GBR treatment.

Keywords: 3D-printing; Chitosan; Doxycycline; Electrophoretic deposition; Gelatin; Guided bone regeneration.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alloys / pharmacology
Bone Regeneration
Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
Coated Materials, Biocompatible / pharmacology
Dental Implants*
Niobium / chemistry
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Staphylococcus aureus
Titanium* / chemistry

Substances

Alloys
Coated Materials, Biocompatible
Dental Implants
Niobium
Titanium