Implant surface modifications and new development in surface coatings

Abstract This chapter deals with novel surfaces for dental implants that are both inorganic and organic in nature. These surfaces most often aim to improve osseointegration, but also to reduce bacterial colonization and provide a good soft tissue seal. The chapter emphasizes titanium, titanium alloys, and zirconia, although other materials such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) have been used in some in vitro and in vivo studies. Regarding the surface modifications and coatings summarized here, the focus is on coatings that will directly influence cell and tissue response. For this reason coatings that function mainly as carriers, e.g., for growth factors, antibiotics, or plasmid DNA, were excluded. Further, the chapter concentrates on new developments that are not yet available on the market. Detailed chemical and morphological characterization of existing implant systems is not included as this topic is already covered by recent reviews.