Micro-CT assisted finite element analysis and functionalization of dental implants with piezoelectric coatings for improved bio-mechanical and anti-bacterial performance.

Abstract

The performance of dental implant depends strongly on how their surfaces interact with the surrounding bone and local microbiological environment. Conventional Ti-6Al-4V implants provide mechanical reliability but lack biological activity needed to promote early osseointegration or limit bacterial adhesion. To address these limitations, this study introduces a piezo-responsive PVDF:PMMA composite coating for Ti-6Al-4V dental implants designed to generate localized electrical cues under simulated masticatory loading. CT- and μCT-based finite element models were employed to evaluate the electromechanical response at both macro and micro scale bone-implant interfaces for different PVDF:PMMA compositions. Among all compositions, the 90:10 PVDF:PMMA coating exhibited highest γ-phase content and produced the largest surface potential under simulated masticatory loads, which was further supported by experimental measurements. Biological assessments further showed that the coating supported hMSC viability and inhibited the growth of common oral pathogens, suggesting potential biological relevance in terms of cytocompatibility antimicrobial advantage. Taken together, the experimental and Finite Element Analysis indicate that optimization of PVDF:PMMA composition provides mechanically activated electrical cues at the implant interface, offering a platform for further investigation of electro-mechanically functionalized dental implants.