Flexible, high-strength titanium nanowire for scaffold biomimetic periodontal membrane

Abstract

A layer of micro-sized periodontal membrane can buffer most chewing forces to protect the interface between the natural tooth root and alveolar bone. Artificial dental implants usually direct contact onto the alveolar bone without a buffer layer, which increases the risk of surface damage. The main purpose of this work was the bionic design of a flexible layer of nanowire scaffold on a titanium implant surface according to the function of the periodontal membrane. Millions of nanowires were woven into a superhydrophilic layer of porous scaffold. The evolution of mechanical properties displayed that the biomimetic nanowire scaffold could absorb a maximum of about 1.59 KJ energy per square centimeter by low-speed impact. The minimum tensile strength of one nanowire was 2 GPa. A biomimetic flexible periodontal membrane connection functioning between the natural tooth root and alveolar bone has great potential value for developing advanced artificial dental implants for dental restorations.