In vitro blood and fibroblast responses to BisGMA-TEGDMA/bioactive glass composite implants

This in vitro study was designed to evaluate both blood and human gingival fibroblast responses to bisphenol A–glycidyl methacrylate–triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (BisGMA–TEGDMA)/bioactive glass (BAG) composite, aimed to be used as composite implant abutment surface modifier. Three different types of substrates were investigated: (a) plain polymer (BisGMA 50 wt%–TEGDMA 50 wt%), (b) BAG–composite (50 wt% polymer + 50 wt% fraction of BAG–particles, <50 μm), and (c) plain BAG plates (100 wt% BAG). The blood response, including the blood–clotting ability and platelet adhesion morphology were evaluated. Human gingival fibroblasts were plated and cultured on the experimental substrates for up to 10 days, then the cell proliferation rate was assessed using AlamarBlue assay™. The BAG–composite and plain BAG substrates had a shorter clotting time than plain polymer substrates. Platelet activation and aggregation were most extensive, qualitatively, on BAG–composite. Analysis of the normalized cell proliferation rate on the different surfaces showed some variations throughout the experiment, however, by day 10 the BAG–composite substrate showed the highest (P < 0.001) cell proliferation rate. In conclusion, the presence of exposed BAG–particles enhances fibroblast and blood responses on composite surfaces in vitro.