Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.3
INTERACTIONS OF SURFACE DENTAL IMPLANTS WITH BLOOD
During surgery, blood vessels are injured and thus, dental implant surfaces interact with blood com-
ponents (
Figure 5.3
). Various plasma proteins get adsorbed on the material surface within a minute.
Platelets from blood interact also with the implant surface. Plasma proteins modify the surface while
activated platelets are responsible for thrombus formation and blood clotting. Subsequently, the
migrations of various cell types interact with the surface through membrane integrin receptors. These
early events occur prior to peri-implant tissue healing.
Plasma contains dissolved substances such as glucose, amino acids, cholesterols, hormones, urea,
and various ions (
Figure 5.4
). Most of these components are needed for the viability of cells and tis-
sues. All of these blood substances could interact with implant surface thus modifying their chemical
properties like charge or hydrophobicity.
Blood interactions with implants lead to protein adsorption, which is dependent on the surface
properties of the material and occurs through a complex series of adsorption and displacement steps
known as the Vroman effect
[24]
. A hydrophilic surface is better for blood coagulation than a hydro-
phobic surface. Consequently, dental implants manufacturers have developed high hydrophilic and
rough implant surfaces which in turn exhibited better osseointegration than conventional ones
[25]
.
Adsorption of proteins such as fibronectin, vitronectin on surface of dental implants could promote cell
FIGURE 5.3
Interactions of surface of dental implants with blood. Note the
numerous proteins, red blood cells, and activated platelets that
lead to blood clotting on implants.
