Biocorrosion of pure and SLA titanium surfaces in the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its effects on osteoblast behavior

Objective: The study aims to investigate the biocorrosion behavior of Porphyromonas gingivalis on pure and SLA titanium surfaces and its effects on surface characteristics and osteoblast behavior. Methods: Pure and SLA titanium specimens were immersed in culture medium with P. gingivalis and incubated for 7 days. P. gingivalis colonization on the pure and SLA titanium surfaces was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pure and SLA titanium surface characteristics were analyzed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface roughness and surface wettability. The corrosion behaviors of pure and SLA titanium specimens were evaluated by electrochemical corrosion test. The osteoblast behavior of MC3T3-E1 cells on the pure and SLA titanium surfaces after P. gingivalis colonization was investigated by cell adhesion and western blot assays. Results: P. gingivalis colonized on the pure and SLA titanium surfaces was observed by SEM. The XPS analysis demonstrated reductions in the relative levels of titanium and oxygen and obvious reductions of dominant titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) on both titanium surfaces after immersing the metal in P. gingivalis culture. In addition, their roughness and wettability were changed. Correspondingly, the electrochemical corrosion test results revealed significant decreases in the corrosion resistance and increases in the corrosion rate of the pure and SLA titanium specimens after immersion in P. gingivalis culture. The results of the in vitro study showed that the pre-corroded pure and SLA titanium surfaces by P. gingivalis exhibited lower osteocompatibility and down-regulated the adhesion, spreading and osteogenic differentiation abilities of MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusions: P. gingivalis was able to colonize on the pure and SLA titanium surfaces and weaken their surface properties, especially a decrease in the protective TiO(2) film, which induced the biocorrosion and further negatively affected the osteoblast behavior.