The Effects of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma treated Titanium Surface on Behaviors of Oral Soft Tissue Cells

Here, we investigated the possible use of the technology known as non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma on integration and control of cytokine release of soft tissue on titanium surface. After NTAPP was applied to titanium samples, changes of surface characteristics were measured as topographical features, contact angle, surface tension, and with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Protein absorption was evaluated using a bovine serum albumin absorption assay. The attachment, viability, morphology, proliferation, and cytokine release of soft tissue on titanium were assessed. No change in topographical features was observed between control and NTAPP-treated groups. However, NTAPP treatment resulted in significant lowering of the contact angle for polar and non-polar liquids and increase of surface tension. Protein absorption was significantly enhanced on the NTAPP-treated samples. Normal soft tissue attachment was improved on the NTAPP-treated groups with good viability. Cellular morphology was improved in NTAPP-treated groups whereas cellular proliferation was not enhanced. There was a significant reduction in the amounts of cytokine release for inflamed IHOK and hTERT-hNOF on the NTAPP-treated groups; except for IL-8 for IHOKs. This study demonstrates that surface functional consequences by NTAPP exposure enhanced behavior of oral soft tissue cells without topographical change.