The use of Titanium (Ti) implants is a novel clinical procedure in dentistry. The adsorption of biological-molecules to the implant's surface triggers a sequence of events that may determine the outcome of this procedure. Clinical data suggest that modified Ti surfaces play an important role in success or failure of the implant. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between Ti implants with different surface properties and serum proteins. This, in order to find the optimal implant surfaces which may improve the osseointegration process and implant intake. Materials & Methods: Six mm in diameter Ti disks with three types of surfaces modifications were compared: Machined, Acid etched and Sandblast plus acid etched (SLA). The disks were coated with mixtures of Human Serum Albumin conjugated with Fluorescein (HAS-FITC). Following incubation, the coat was removed from the disks by SDS. Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope was used to visualize and measure the HAS-FITC coat and the degree of protein removal from the Ti surfaces. Results: The Confocal Microscope images revealed a significantly higher amount of HAS-FITC coat on the SLA disks as compared to the machined and acid etched disks. Furthermore, under similar experimental conditions less HAS-FITC could be removed from the SLA disks than from the machined and acid etched disks. Conclusions: Absorption of albumin to the SLA treated Ti surface is both qualitatively and quantitatively far more intense, as compared to the machined and acid etched surfaces. Further studies for the chemical and physical characterization of the modified Ti surfaces are underway. Moreover, additional serum proteins as well as oral microorganisms are examined for their interactions with the modified Ti surfaces.

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