Biomimetic coatings for the dental implants

The osseointegration phenomenon is considered a key factor for the success of dental implants. During osseointegration, an uninterrupted interaction between living bone and implant surface is evident without any intervening fibrous connective tissue. The physicochemical properties of the dental implant surface, for instance, topography, roughness, and chemistry influence the biological reactions taking place at the interface of implant and tissue; consequently, researchers have made significant efforts to alter the surface of titanium-based dental implants using various mechanical, physical, and chemical approaches. Nowadays, biological molecules are being incorporated onto the surface of dental implants to excite the osteogenic cells immediately after implantation which may accelerate the bone formation around the implant and facilitate its stabilization. Moreover, various extracellular matrix components, growth factors, and peptides have been utilized to promote osseointegration. In this chapter, we will discuss a variety of biomimetic coatings for the dental implant surface which could be used to achieve successful osseointegration.