Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on the Surface and Attractiveness of Various Zirconia Implant Materials on Human Osteoblasts: An In Vitro Study

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on the surface properties of various zirconia-based dental implant materials and the response of human alveolar bone osteoblasts. For this purpose, discs of two zirconia-based materials with smooth and roughened surfaces were immersed in 20% H(2)O(2) for two hours. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy showed no topographic changes after H(2)O(2)-treatment. Contact angle measurements (1), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (2) and X-ray diffraction (3) indicated that H(2)O(2)-treated surfaces (1) increased in hydrophilicity (p < 0.05) and (2) on three surfaces the carbon content decreased (33–60%), while (3) the monoclinic phase increased on all surfaces. Immunofluorescence analysis of the cell area and DNA-quantification and alkaline phosphatase activity revealed no effect of H(2)O(2)-treatment on cell behavior. Proliferation activity was significantly higher on three of the four untreated surfaces, especially on the smooth surfaces (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that exposure of zirconia surfaces to 20% H(2)O(2) for 2 h increases the wettability of the surfaces, but also seems to increase the monoclinic phase, especially on roughened surfaces, which can be considered detrimental to material stability. Moreover, the H(2)O(2)-treatment has no influence on osteoblast behavior.