Investigation of the effect of ordered collagen: Gelatin nanopillar films on osteoblast behaviour

The rejection rate of dental implants by human body for reasons such as surgery complications, infection, smoking, advanced age and overloading has changed by 10-20% around the world according to the etiological studies. The main reason behind these high reject rates is that the maxilla & mandible cannot integrate with the implant at an optimum level. One of the methods that can be used to prevent rejection is providing similarity of the implant surface to the natural tissue. When the Sharpey fibers in the periodontal ligament of the tooth were examined, it was found that these structures extended perpendicular to the alveolar bone and supplied the connection between the bone and the tooth. The first part of this thesis demonstrates the utilization of AAO membranes to simulate Sharpey fibers biomimetically. Ordered nanopillared surfaces with appropriate concentration and viscosity collagen:gelatin mixture were obtained from the AAO membranes used as a mold and manufactured by the two-step anodization method. Flat films handled as a control group were acquired from smooth silicon wafers and they were compared with nanopillar films in terms of their stability and mechanical properties. The characterization of nanopillar films was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adhesion, proliferation and mineralization behaviors of the SAOS-2 cell line on the collagen:gelatin nanopillar and flat films were investigated and compared with the TCP surface. The quantitative analysis of calcium and phosphate on cells were characterized by the EDX analysis. As a result of these studies, it was observed that if there is no cell adhesion on the nanopillar films, nano structure can be preserved for up to 24 hours. On the other hand, when there is cell adhesion, nanopillars are kept up for at least 21 days. In addition, it is understood that nanopillar films have better adhesion and proliferation than the flat films and TCP surface, but induce less mineralization.