Proliferation of human periodontal ligament mesenchymal cells on polished and plasma nitriding titanium surfaces

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate the proliferative capacity of mesenchymal cells derived from human periodontalligament on polished and plasma-treated titanium surfaces. Methods: Eighteen titanium disks werepolished and half of them (n=9) were submitted to plasma nitriding using the cathodic cage technique.Mesenchymal cells were isolated from periodontal ligament of impacted third molars (n=2) andcultured on titanium disks (polished and nitrided) and on a plastic surface as a positive control of cellproliferation. Cell proliferation was analyzed and growth curves were constructed for the differentgroups by determining the number of cells adhered to the different surfaces at 24, 48 and 72 h afterplating. Results: Higher cell number was observed for the nitrided surface at 24 and 48 h.However, no statistically significant difference in cell proliferation was observed between the twodifferent surface treatments (p>0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that plasma nitriding producedsurfaces that permitted the proliferation of human periodontal ligament mesenchymal cells. Associatedto other physical and chemical properties, it is possible to assume the feasibility of plasma nitridingmethod and its positive effect on the early cellular events of osseointegration.