A.S. Rozeik, K. Fawzy El-Sayed, And S. El-Kholy,

ABSTRACT
Objective: The Present Study�s Aim Was To Test The Proliferation And Adhesion Of Human Gingival Fibroblasts To Different Polymer Dental Implant-abutment Materials Including Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) And Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (HA-PEEK) In Comparisons To Conventional Abutment Materials As Titanium (Ti).

Materials and Methods: 40 Specimens Per Group Were Prepared With The Dimension Of 10 Mm (length) � 10 Mm (width) � 1 Mm (height) Per Specimen. Wettability Properties Of The Materials Were Assessed By Water Contact Angle Measurement (after The Adjustment Of Their Surface Roughness). Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGFs) Proliferation Was Assessed Using Proliferation Assay After 24 Hours And 72 Hours Cell Culture. While, Cell Adhesion Strength Was Evaluated After 24 Hours Of Cell Culture By Applying Lateral Shear Forces In The Form Of Two Shaking Intensities 320 And 560 Rpm.

Results: Regarding The Wettability Properties Using The Water Contact Angle System, Ti Showed The Lowest Contact Angle Followed By PEEK And HA-PEEK With No Statistical Significance Difference (P> 0.05). While, HA-PEEK Showed The Highest Ratio Of Cell Viability At 24 Hours Followed By PEEK And Ti With No Statistically Significant Difference Between The Tested Groups (P> 0.05). While, At 72 Hours Ti Showed The Highest Ratio Of Cell Viability Followed By HA-PEEK And PEEK With Statistically Significant Difference Between Ti And PEEK Groups (P> 0.05) Using MTT Proliferation Assay. Furthermore, PEEK Showed The Best Adhesion Strength After 320 Rpm Shaking Intensities Followed By HA-PEEK And Ti. While At 560 Rpm, HA-PEEK Showed The Best Adhesion Strength Followed By PEEK And Ti. Conclusion: Dental Implant Abutment Material And Its Wettability Affect HGFs Proliferation And Adhesion. Furthermore, Polymer Abutment Materials Showed Similar Interaction Properties With HGFs Regarding Proliferation And Adhesion In Comparison To The Conventional Titanium Abutment Material.