Plasma Treatment Improves Dental Implant Osseointegration

Achieving a strong and lasting connection between dental implants and surrounding bone tissue, known as osseointegration, is a key challenge in dental implantology. Henniker Plasma, a manufacturer of plasma surface treatment equipment, is at the forefront of a development aimed at enhancing dental implant osseointegration through plasma treatment.

Role of Plasma Treatment

Plasma treatment is emerging as a proven method to improve the surface characteristics of dental implants, thereby enhancing their osseointegration potential. This innovative technique can modify the surface chemistry, morphology, and energy of dental implants, creating an environment conducive to cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. 

Additionally, it can reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on implants, mitigating the risk of infections and enhancing implant longevity.

Product: CyberMed Core1 implant system

The SLA/SA Surface Technique

The widely used SLA/SA surface technique involves sandblasting and acid-etching processes to increase surface roughness on titanium dental implants. While effective in promoting osseointegration, this method has its drawbacks, such as potential contamination from the sandblasting process and a hydrophobic surface that can hinder initial cell attachment.

In collaboration with a leading dental implant manufacturer, Henniker Plasma has developed the plasma treatment process to address these challenges. By applying a gas mixture of argon and oxygen to implant surfaces, this enhanced plasma treatment is said to not only removes organic contaminants but also improves implant wettability. Increased wettability allows implants to attract blood into their micropores upon implantation, creating a stabilising blood clot during the initial osseointegration phase.

Furthermore, the plasma-treated surface facilitates ion immobilisation and the formation of an apatite layer, a key factor in stimulating new dentin formation. This process is essential for the successful integration of dental implants with living bone.

Product: KSⅢ SOI Implant surface coating material

Application and Benefits

The full plasma treatment process is purportedly rapid, taking less than 10 minutes, and can be performed using a benchtop vacuum plasma device like the Henniker HPT-500, suitable for various implant shapes and sizes. 

Dental implant manufacturers can seamlessly incorporate plasma treatment into their production processes, resulting in implants with superior hydrophilicity, antibacterial properties, and accelerated osseointegration.

Additionally, Henniker Plasma has extended its surface treatment capabilities to PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) dental implants. PEEK is known for its biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Plasma treatment purportedly enhances osseointegration, implant stability, and bioactivity.