Fibroblast cell adhesion on a magnesia partially stabilised zirconia following CO₂ laser radiation

Promoting or inhibiting cell adhesion to biomaterials is often crucial to the proper function of a biomaterial. In order to induce a surface with better biocompatibility of the bioinert ceramic interface, an industrial CO₂ laser was used to alter the surface properties of MgO-PSZ with various laser power densities. The general effects of CO₂ laser radiation on the MgO-PSZ were analysed to investigate the modifications of surface microstructure, surface oxygen content and surface roughness of the material. In in vitro evaluation, human skin fibroblast cells were seen to attach onto the MgO-PSZ following CO₂ laser treatment, whereas, no cell attachment was found on the untreated MgO-PSZ. A relationship was observed between the extent of cell attachment and surface properties of the MgO-PSZ with various laser power densities, exhibiting the ability of laser surface process for controlling the cell adhesion.