Surface hydride on titanium by cathodic polarization promotes human gingival fibroblast growth

Abstract Connective tissue seal to dental abutment is crucial for peri‐implant health. Several efforts have been made previously to optimize abutment surfaces, but no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal surface architecture and/or composition for soft tissue seal. Here, we report on experiments using cathodic polarization in organic acids to optimize titanium (Ti) surfaces for use as abutments. The three main factors affecting surface topography and chemistry were electrolyte composition, current density, and polarization time. Under identical conditions, oxalic acid created rougher surfaces than tartaric acid and acetic acid, and acetic acid produced more surface hydride. Surface hydride amount was suggested to first increase and then decrease with current density from 1 mA/cm 2 to 15 mA/cm 2 . The complexity of the surface topography and hydride production both increased with polarization time. Proliferation rate of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) was positively correlated with surface hydride content, suggesting the positive effect of surface hydride on connective tissue growth around dental abutment. Changes in surface topography and hydrophilicity did not significantly influence HGF growth. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1389–1398, 2014.