Potential of Graphene-Functionalized Titanium Surfaces for Dental Implantology: Systematic Review

Titanium is the most frequently employed material in implantology, because of its high degree of biocompatibility. The properties of materials are crucial for osteointegration; therefore, great effort from researchers has been devoted to improving the capabilities of titanium implant surfaces. In this context, graphene oxide represents a promising nanomaterial because of its exceptional physical and chemical qualities. Many authors in recent years have concentrated their research on the use of graphene in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, antimicrobial materials, and implants. According to recent studies, graphene coatings may considerably increase osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro by the regulation of FAK/P38 signaling pathway, and can encourage the osteointegration of dental implants in vivo. However, further studies, especially on human subjects, are necessary to validate these potential applications. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of graphene on bone metabolism and the advantages of its use in implantology. A systematic review of literature was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, and the articles investigating the role of graphene to functionalize dental implant surfaces and his interactions with the host tissue were analyzed.