Hydrophobic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer inhibits peri-implantitis-causing bacterial adhesion on titanium materials

Abstract Aims To prevent peri-implantitis, we investigated the adhesion of periodontopathogenic bacteria to titanium surfaces using a hydrophobic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer to inhibit adhesion. Method and results We immersed titanium plates (TiPs) coated with a hydrophobic MPC polymer in a bacterial suspension for 30 min or 24 h and measured the number of adherent bacteria. Bacteria adhering to the TiPs were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, mimicking an oral cavity, TiPs coated with MPC polymer and saliva, were immersed in bacterial suspensions of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus mutans for 24 h, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the adherent bacteria was measured. Bacterial adhesion was significantly inhibited on MPC polymer-coated titanium plates after 30 min and 24 h. SEM results showed a similar trend. Bacterial adhesion was significantly inhibited on MPC polymer-treated titanium plates in the presence of saliva, both before and after MPC treatment. Furthermore, their effectiveness was maintained when the MPC polymer-treated titanium plates were stored in saline for one week. Conclusions Hydrophobic MPC polymer coating on titanium plate surface inhibited bacterial adhesion, indicating that it may be effective in preventing peri-implantitis.