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Measurements of plasma parameters by Langmuir probes are influenced by the probe system itself. This article considers the deviation of plasma parameters determined by probe measurements from those in the undisturbed plasma. For this reason the particle density of the excited atoms of a neon plasma in the very vicinity of the probe is compared with the particle density in the undisturbed case. The densities of the excited metastable 1s5 level were measured by laser absorption spectroscopy. By solving the plasma balance equations the deviation of the electron density and the deviation of the electric field could be deduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the surface quality and bacterial adhesion properties of various dental materials, including indirect composites, veneering composites, direct composites, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and two millable polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Material specimens were processed following manufacturer instructions, initially evaluated for surface roughness and Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis) adhesion. Subsequently, toothbrushing simulation was employed to simulate aging, and changes in material surfaces were assessed via roughness measurements and bacterial adhesion testing. Prior to simulated aging, direct and indirect composites exhibited the lowest roughness values. However, after the simulated toothbrushing, veneering composites displayed the highest roughness levels. Both PMMA materials demonstrated the highest S. sanguinis adhesion levels, both before and after artificial aging. Interestingly, the indirect composite material showed a reduction in bacterial adhesion following toothbrushing simulation. Surprisingly, this study did not reveal a clear correlation between roughness and bacterial adhesion.

Applying antibacterial coatings to dental implant materials seems reasonable but can have negative influences on desired cell adhesion and healing. In this study, zirconia abutment specimens interacting with gingival tissue were used. The aim was to compare the influence of machined or coated zirconia surfaces on the adhesion and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). Surface modifications were performed using atmospheric plasma coating with hydroxyapatite, zinc, and copper. Zirconia specimens were divided into four groups: hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite with zinc oxide (ZnO), hydroxyapatite with copper (Cu), and an untreated machined surface. After the characterization of the surface conditions, the morphology of adhered HGF-1 was determined by fluorescence staining and subjected to statistical evaluation. The visual analysis of cell morphology by SEM showed flat, polygonal, and largely adherent fibroblast cells in the untreated group, while round to partially flat cells were recorded in the groups with hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite + ZnO, and hydroxyapatite + Cu. The cell membranes in the hydroxyapatite + ZnO and hydroxyapatite + Cu groups appeared porous. The results show that HGF-1 adhere and proliferate well on machined zirconia, while plasma coating with hydroxyapatite or hydroxyapatite mixtures does not lead to increased adhesion or proliferation.

Orthopaedic implants and temporary osteosynthesis devices are commonly based on Titanium (Ti). For short-term devices, cell-material contact should be restricted for easy removal after bone healing. This could be achieved with anti-adhesive plasma-fluorocarbon-polymer (PFP) films created by low-temperature plasma processes. Two different PFP thin film deposition techniques, microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) discharge plasma, were applied to receive smooth, hydrophobic surfaces with octafluoropropane (C 3 F 8 ) or hexafluorohexane (C 6 F 6 ) as precursors. This study aimed at examining the immunological local tissue reactions after simultaneous intramuscular implantation of four different Ti samples, designated as MW-C 3 F 8 , MW-C 6 F 6 , RF-C 3 F 8 and Ti-controls, in rats. A differentiated morphometric evaluation of the inflammatory reaction was conducted by immunohistochemical staining of CD68+ macrophages, CD163+ macrophages, MHC class II-positive cells, T lymphocytes, CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes, NK cells and nestin-positive cells in cryosections of surrounding peri-implant tissue. Tissue samples were obtained on days 7, 14 and 56 for investigating the acute and chronical inflammation (n = 8 rats/group). Implants with a radiofrequency discharge plasma (RF-C 3 F 8 ) coating exhibited a favorable short- and long-term immune/inflammatory response comparable to Ti-controls. This was also demonstrated by the significant decrease in pro-inflammatory CD68+ macrophages, possibly downregulated by significantly increasing regulatory T lymphocytes.

A common method to derive both qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate osseointegration of implants is histomorphometry. The present study describes a new image reconstruction algorithm comparing the results of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) evaluated by means of µCT with histomorphometry data. Custom-made conical titanium alloyed (Ti6Al4V) implants were inserted in the distal tibial bone of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Different surface configurations were examined: Ti6Al4V implants with plasma-polymerized allylamine (PPAAm) coating and plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine (PPEDA) coating as well as implants without surface coating. After six weeks postoperatively, tibiae were explanted and BIC was determined by µCT (3D) and afterwards by histomorphometry (2D). In comparison to uncoated Ti6Al4V implants demonstrating low BIC of 32.4% (histomorphometry) and 51.3% (µCT), PPAAm and PPEDA coated implants showed a nonsignificant increase in BIC (histomorphometry: 45.7% and 53.5% and µCT: 51.8% and 62.0%, resp.). Mean BIC calculated by µCT was higher for all surface configurations compared to BIC detected by histomorphometry. Overall, a high correlation coefficient of 0.70 (p < 0.002) was found between 3D and 2D quantification of BIC. The μCT analysis seems to be suitable as a nondestructive and accurate 3D imaging method for the evaluation of the bone-implant interface.

Copper (Cu) could serve as antibacterial coating for Ti6Al4V implants. An additional cell-adhesive layer might compensate Cu cytotoxicity. This study aimed at in vitro and in vivo evaluation of low-temperature plasma treatment of Ti6Al4V plates with Ti/Cu magnetron sputtering (Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu), plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine (Ti6Al4V-PPEDA), or both (Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA). Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu and Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA had comparable in vitro Cu release and antibacterial effectiveness. Following intramuscular implantation of Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu, Ti6Al4V-PPEDA, Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA and Ti6Al4V controls for 7, 14 and 56 days with 8 rats/day, peri-implant tissue was immunohistochemically examined for different inflammatory cells. Ti6Al4V-PPEDA had more mast cells and NK cells than Ti6Al4V, and more tissue macrophages, T lymphocytes, mast cells and NK cells than Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA. Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu had more mast cells than Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA. Results indicate that PPEDA-mediated cell adhesion counteracted Cu cytotoxicity. Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA differed from Ti6Al4V only for mast cells on day 56. Altogether, implants with both plasma treatments had antibacterial properties and did not increase inflammatory reactions.