Advanced biological seal for soft tissue integration

• Grant number: 25/07203-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Érica Dorigatti de Avila
• Grantee: Daniela Moreira Cunha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/20719-3 - A novel antimicrobial drug-delivery coating for percutaneous implant devices, AP.JP

Abstract

Peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition occurring in the supportive tissues around dental implants, is triggered by a dysbiotic biofilm that grows on implant and/or abutment surfaces. Consequently, the entire surface becomes a notorious culprit, fostering bacterial adhesion that might lead to progressive loss of supporting bone. From a preventive standpoint, the goal is to thwart disease initiation directly, through antimicrobial surfaces, or through coating materials developed for soft tissue integration on abutment surfaces. We have created both definitions: direct and indirect strategies to prevent peri implantitis. The classificatory approaches related to coating strategies for peri-implantitis management, will be considerate for publication in Periodontology 2000. Indirect strategies aim to promote biological sealing by focusing on modifying abutment surfaces. Here, we will develop a nonresponsive/biological and simple coating to are gear towards achieving soft tissue integration by constructing a specialized surface capable of redirecting collagen fibers and proteins from hemidesmosomes, enabling their insertion into the abutment components. A detailed multilayer coating characterization will be performed by different microscopy and spectroscopy approaches to probe physical and chemical properties. Coating stability of nonresponsive/biological film on Ti discs will be confirmed under neutral, acidic and alkaline pH, mimicking the hostility of the oral environment. Further physical tests will be also performed by toothbrushing process. The coating applicability will be confirmed through cell viability tests and the soft tissue integration propose will be confirmed by adhesion force measurements between epithelial cells and coating in comparison to commercial titanium surfaces. To deep learning the effect of nonresponsive/biological film on live cells shape, we will explore a key technology through AFM analysis. Finally, to further examine the wound healing process and the toxic effects of nonresponsive/biological film, a collage matrix will be confectioned surrounding abutments components and the ability of fibroblast-derived cells decrease the size of the wound via collagen contraction and the inflammatory response through cytokine production will be evaluated at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days.