Enhanced Osteogenic Activity of a Titanium Mesh Modified with Magnesium-Doped Nanowires for Peri-Implant Guided Bone Regeneration: In Vitro and In Vivo

Titanium mesh is a promising barrier membrane for the reconstruction of alveolar bone defects, with the quality and volume of alveolar bone being critical factors impacting the initial stability and success rate of implants. The objective of this study is to integrate bioactive magnesium ions and nanowire structures into a titanium mesh surface (Mg-NW-Ti) and further investigate its surface characteristics and osteogenic bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. Mg-NW-Ti was effectively synthesized through a series of chemical reactivity tests, and its morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity, elemental composition, and ion release were characterized. The biological effects of Mg-NW-Ti on MC3T3-E1 cells were assessed and compared with commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and nanowire-modified titanium (NW-Ti). In addition, a peri-implant bone defect model of rabbit mandibular alveolar bone was constructed to evaluate the effects of Mg-NW-Ti mesh on bone regeneration and osseointegration of the implant. The resultant Ti surface appeared as a nanowire structure under scanning electron microscopy with higher surface roughness and hydrophilicity compared to the CP-Ti. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ion release analysis demonstrated successful loading of magnesium ions onto the titanium surface and effective release into the surroundings. In vitro Mg-NW-Ti exhibited good biocompatibility and significantly enhanced proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1, while the results of the in vivo study demonstrated that the Mg-NW-Ti mesh exhibited a beneficial impact on bone regeneration and implant osseointegration. In conclusion, this novel surface modification of titanium mesh may serve as an effective strategy for optimizing the osteogenic functionality of titanium mesh and harnessing its potential for increased application value.