Structure Protects Function: A Multilevel Engineered Surface Modification Renders the Surface of Titanium Dental Implants Resistant to Bacterial Colonization

The global dental implant market is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2032, growing at a 6.5% compound annual growth rate due to the rising prevalence of dental diseases. Importantly, this growth raises concerns about postoperative infections, which present significant challenges within our healthcare system and lead to a two-thirds failure rate for infected implants. In this study, we present an innovative multilevel coating system that makes the surface of dental titanium implants resistant to bacterial colonization, thereby minimizing the risk of infection development. This multilevel coating features a nanometer-thick biohybrid coating layer combined with a microgroove surface microstructuring, creating physical barriers that enhance the stability of the biohybrids against mechanical abrasion. Our coating demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and strong antifouling properties against undiluted blood plasma proteins. Furthermore, the combination of surface microstructuring and the biohybrid coating remains stable under prolonged mechanical stress simulation and effectively repels clinically relevant bacteria, achieving a 99% reduction in bacterial colonization on the implant. These findings underscore the potential of this approach to prevent implant-associated infections and highlight the critical role of surface engineering in ensuring long-term implant performance.

Publication year: 2025
Authors: Garay-Sarmiento M. 1 2, Yayci A. 1 2, Rutsch Y. 1, El Kadaoui H. 3, Apelt S. 3, Englert J. 1 2, Boes A. 1, Kohse M. 4, Jakob F. 1, Bergs T. 3 4, Schwaneberg U. 1 2, Rodriguez-Emmenegger C. 1 5 6 7
Affiliations:

1. DWI─Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, Aachen 52074, Germany.

2. Chair of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, Aachen 52074, Germany.

3. Manufacturing Technology Institute MTI, RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, Aachen 52074, Germany.

4. Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Steinbachstr. 17, Aachen 52074, Germany.

5. Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 12, Barcelona 08028, Spain.

6. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain.

7. Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, The Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain.

Published in: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025, Vol. 17, Issue 5
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c21111

MP-SPR KEYWORDS

antifouling protein-polymer interaction
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