Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions

IntroductionAdditive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of complex, patient-specific titanium implants. However, the as-built surfaces of AM parts often require postprocessing to enhance surface properties for optimal osseointegration.MethodsThis study investigates the effects of varying sand...

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Main Authors: Osman Akbas, Amit Gaikwad, Leif Reck, Nina Ehlert, Anne Jahn, Jörg Hermsdorf, Andreas Winkel, Meike Stiesch, Andreas Greuling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1640122/full
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author Osman Akbas
Amit Gaikwad
Amit Gaikwad
Leif Reck
Nina Ehlert
Nina Ehlert
Anne Jahn
Jörg Hermsdorf
Andreas Winkel
Andreas Winkel
Meike Stiesch
Meike Stiesch
Andreas Greuling
author_facet Osman Akbas
Amit Gaikwad
Amit Gaikwad
Leif Reck
Nina Ehlert
Nina Ehlert
Anne Jahn
Jörg Hermsdorf
Andreas Winkel
Andreas Winkel
Meike Stiesch
Meike Stiesch
Andreas Greuling
author_sort Osman Akbas
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAdditive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of complex, patient-specific titanium implants. However, the as-built surfaces of AM parts often require postprocessing to enhance surface properties for optimal osseointegration.MethodsThis study investigates the effects of varying sandblasting pressures (2 bar vs. 6 bar) and subsequent acid etching (SAE) on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium (Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti), respectively). While changes in surface roughness and morphology were assessed at different process stages using optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy, the analyses of surface wettability (contact angle measurement) were focused on effects after SAE and during different storage conditions (ambient air vs. NaCl). The resulting differences in material properties were then evaluated for their biological impact on osteoblast compatibility. For this purpose, the parameters cell adhesion, morphology, and membrane integrity were investigated using confocal laser microscopy and LDH assay.ResultsInitial high roughness of AM titanium surfaces was decreased by sandblasting, while initial smooth machined surfaces (MM) increased in roughness. Acid etching introduced characteristic irregular patterns on the surface with only marginal consequences for the resulting overall roughness. While all surfaces demonstrated high hydrophilicity directly after etching, storage under ambient air increased hydrophobicity over time, while NaCl storage preserved hydrophilicity and improved biocompatibility marginally. Osteoblast adhesion and morphology were optimal only under no storage condition, with uncompromised membrane integrity.DiscussionNotably, the biological consequences observed for MM and AM titanium were rather similar, considering the differences in used materials, production techniques, and subsequent surface morphologies. Carefully applied SAE can also optimize the surface characteristics of additive manufactured titanium for an improved implant performance, with storage conditions critically influencing surface wettability and bioactivity.
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spelling doaj-art-8fea4f06495f4981a76ac1ec2c20ffcb2025-08-20T03:39:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-08-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.16401221640122Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditionsOsman Akbas0Amit Gaikwad1Amit Gaikwad2Leif Reck3Nina Ehlert4Nina Ehlert5Anne Jahn6Jörg Hermsdorf7Andreas Winkel8Andreas Winkel9Meike Stiesch10Meike Stiesch11Andreas Greuling12Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyLower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyLower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyInstitut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, GermanyLaser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hannover, GermanyLaser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyLower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyLower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Materials Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyIntroductionAdditive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of complex, patient-specific titanium implants. However, the as-built surfaces of AM parts often require postprocessing to enhance surface properties for optimal osseointegration.MethodsThis study investigates the effects of varying sandblasting pressures (2 bar vs. 6 bar) and subsequent acid etching (SAE) on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium (Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti), respectively). While changes in surface roughness and morphology were assessed at different process stages using optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy, the analyses of surface wettability (contact angle measurement) were focused on effects after SAE and during different storage conditions (ambient air vs. NaCl). The resulting differences in material properties were then evaluated for their biological impact on osteoblast compatibility. For this purpose, the parameters cell adhesion, morphology, and membrane integrity were investigated using confocal laser microscopy and LDH assay.ResultsInitial high roughness of AM titanium surfaces was decreased by sandblasting, while initial smooth machined surfaces (MM) increased in roughness. Acid etching introduced characteristic irregular patterns on the surface with only marginal consequences for the resulting overall roughness. While all surfaces demonstrated high hydrophilicity directly after etching, storage under ambient air increased hydrophobicity over time, while NaCl storage preserved hydrophilicity and improved biocompatibility marginally. Osteoblast adhesion and morphology were optimal only under no storage condition, with uncompromised membrane integrity.DiscussionNotably, the biological consequences observed for MM and AM titanium were rather similar, considering the differences in used materials, production techniques, and subsequent surface morphologies. Carefully applied SAE can also optimize the surface characteristics of additive manufactured titanium for an improved implant performance, with storage conditions critically influencing surface wettability and bioactivity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1640122/fulladditive manufacturingdental implantssandblasting and acid etchingSLASAEsurface wettability
spellingShingle Osman Akbas
Amit Gaikwad
Amit Gaikwad
Leif Reck
Nina Ehlert
Nina Ehlert
Anne Jahn
Jörg Hermsdorf
Andreas Winkel
Andreas Winkel
Meike Stiesch
Meike Stiesch
Andreas Greuling
Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
additive manufacturing
dental implants
sandblasting and acid etching
SLA
SAE
surface wettability
title Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
title_full Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
title_fullStr Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
title_full_unstemmed Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
title_short Effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
title_sort effects of sandblasting and acid etching on the surface properties of additively manufactured and machined titanium and their consequences for osteoblast adhesion under different storage conditions
topic additive manufacturing
dental implants
sandblasting and acid etching
SLA
SAE
surface wettability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1640122/full
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