Single-cell adhesion of human osteoblasts on plasma-conditioned titanium implant surfaces in vitro

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of treating titanium-implant surfaces with plasma from two different sources on wettability and initial single-cell adhesion of human osteoblasts and to investigate whether aging affects treatment outcomes. Methods: Titanium disks with sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surfaces were treated with atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) and low-pressure plasma (LPP). For wetting behavior of the specimens after plasma treatment, the water contact angle was measured. The single-cell detachment force and amount of work of detachment of human osteoblasts were determined with single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS). To evaluate the aging effect in APP-treated specimens, SCFS was conducted 10 and 60 min after treatment. Results: Significantly higher hydrophilicity was observed in the APP and LPP treatment groups than in the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the APP and LPP groups. No significant difference in cell-detachment force or work of detachment was observed, and there were no significant differences according to the conditioning mechanisms and storage time. Significance: Conditioning of the titanium surfaces with APP or LPP was not a significant influencing factor in the initial adhesion of the osteoblasts.