Analysis of soft tissue integration-supportive cell functions in gingival fibroblasts cultured on 3D printed biomaterials for oral implant-supported prostheses

Kerstin Rabel; Amélie Joséphine Nath; Julian Nold; Benedikt C Spies; Christian Wesemann; Brigitte Altmann; Erik Adolfsson; Siegbert Witkowski; Pascal Tomakidi; Thorsten Steinberg

doi:10.1002/jbm.a.37675

Analysis of soft tissue integration-supportive cell functions in gingival fibroblasts cultured on 3D printed biomaterials for oral implant-supported prostheses

J Biomed Mater Res A. 2024 Jan 22. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.37675. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
² Department of Oral Biotechnology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
³ G.E.R.N Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration and Neogenesis, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
⁴ Division Materials and Production-RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Mölndal, Sweden.

PMID: 38251807
DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37675

Abstract

To date, it is unknown whether 3D printed fixed oral implant-supported prostheses can achieve comparable soft tissue integration (STI) to clinically established subtractively manufactured counterparts. STI is mediated among others by gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and is modulated by biomaterial surface characteristics. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate the GF response of a 3D printed methacrylate photopolymer and a hybrid ceramic-filled methacrylate photopolymer for fixed implant-supported prostheses in the sense of supporting an STI. Subtractively manufactured samples made from methacrylate polymer and hybrid ceramic were evaluated for comparison and samples from yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP), comprising well documented biocompatibility, served as control. Surface topography was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and interferometry, elemental composition by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and wettability by contact angle measurement. The response of GFs obtained from five donors was examined in terms of membrane integrity, adhesion, morphogenesis, metabolic activity, and proliferation behavior by a lactate-dehydrogenase assay, fluorescent staining, a resazurin-based assay, and DNA quantification. The results revealed all surfaces were smooth and hydrophilic. GF adhesion, metabolic activity and proliferation were impaired by 3D printed biomaterials compared to subtractively manufactured comparison surfaces and the 3Y-TZP control, whereas membrane integrity was comparable. Within the limits of the present investigation, it was concluded that subtractively manufactured surfaces are superior compared to 3D printed surfaces to support STI. For the development of biologically optimized 3D printable biomaterials, consecutive studies will focus on the improvement of cytocompatibility and the synthesis of STI-relevant extracellular matrix constituents.

Keywords: 3D printing; CAD/CAM; additive manufacturing; gingival fibroblast; implant-supported prosthesis; oral implant; soft tissue integration (STI).

Abstract

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