Plasma of argon accelerates murine fibroblast adhesion in early stages of titanium disk colonization.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze how a cleaning treatment using plasma of argon would affect fibroblast growth on titanium disks at different time points to determine whether this treatment could enhance soft tissue healing around titanium dental implant abutments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty sterile disks made of machined grade 5 titanium were divided into two groups; 30 disks were left untreated (control) and 30 were cleaned using plasma of argon (test). To simulate clinical conditions during soft tissue healing around titanium abutments, both groups were immersed in a culture of murine fibroblasts (L929) for 2, 8, or 48 hours. After preparation, they were stained using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) to label the cellular nuclei and fluorescent phalloidin to label the cellular bodies. The nuclei were counted, and cellular bodies were analyzed with fluorescent microscopy and imaging analysis software. Analysis was performed at the three different time points.
RESULTS: Fibroblast adhesion for the test group was statistically significantly greater versus the control group at 2 and 8 hours but not at 48 hours. At 2 and 8 hours, the cellular bodies in the test group appeared flatter and more spread out, revealing more advanced cellular adhesion, compared to the cells observed in the control group. At 48 hours, the test and control specimens were nearly indistinguishable.
CONCLUSION: The removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from the surfaces of titanium disks using plasma of argon accelerated fibroblast adhesion in the early stages of colonization (2 to 8 hours). This effect disappeared after 48 hours as a result of saturation. Clinically, abutment cleaning using plasma of argon might positively affect soft tissue healing in early stages.