Nano Silver-Hydroxyapatite Coatings - biocompatibility with oral cells to improve abutment integrity for periodontal health.

This project is an exciting opportunity to develop novel silver-hydroxyapatite nanocoatings to reduce failure of dental implants. The interdisciplinary project combines nanotechnology with leading biomedical science expertise, in a real-world clinical setting to investigate the biocompatibility of antibacterial nanocoatings with oral cells to improve abutment integrity for periodontal health.

Despite the high success rates of dental implants, 5-10% of them are still reported to fail and must be removed. One of the most common causes of implant failure is peri-implantitis, which is caused by bacterial biofilm formation on the implant surfaces. Modification of the surface nanotopography has been identified as one of the strategies to control bacterial adherence to implants and improve clinical outcomes.

Silver nanoparticles are known for their antibacterial properties, whereas hydroxyapatite is a chemical similar to the mineral component of natural bone and teeth. Our team has demonstrated that silver-hydroxyapatite hybrid nanocoatings applied to the surface of medical implants are antibacterial but also biocompatible with human osteoblasts, suggesting good fusion of the implants to the jaw bone is achieved. However, shrinkage of the gingiva at the abutment margins, with subsequent infection and micro-leakage in the sub-gingival crevice can lead to implant failure, as well as other oral health problems.