Multifunctional and bioinspired titanium surface with multilayer nanofilms for novel dental implant applications

Introduction: Smart multifunctional surfaces targeting intricate biological events or versatile therapeutic strategies are imminent to achieve long-term transmucosal implant success.

Methods: This study used dopamine (DA), graphene oxide (GO), and type IV collagen (COL-IV) to construct multilayer nanofilms (DGC _n) based on their universal adhesive and biomimetic properties to design a versatile and bioactive titanium implant. The characterization of DGC _n on different titanium surfaces was performed, and its loading capacity, release profile, in situ gene delivery, and in vitro biological properties were preliminarily evaluated.

Results: Our results demonstrate that hydrogenated TiO ₂ nanotubes (H) provide a better platform for the DGC _n coating than machined Ti and air-TiO ₂ nanotubes. The H-DGC ₁₀ displayed the most stable surface with excellent loading capacity, sustained-release profile, and in situ gene transfection efficiency; this could be due to the high specific surface area of H and GO, as well as the functional groups in H, DA, and GO. Moreover, the H-DGC ₁₀ exhibited good biocompatibility for human oral epithelial cells and promoted the expression of integrin β4 and laminin 332, both being hemidesmosome-related proteins.

Discussion: Our findings suggest that H-DGC _n can be designed as a smart multifunctional interface for titanium implants to achieve long-term transmucosal implant success and aid in versatile therapeutic strategies.