PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: This R01 competing resubmission renewal is focused on establishing the efficacy of nanostructure technology with a protective coating in increasing osseointegration, and minimizing bacterial proliferation and corrosion around titanium dental implants. This is a continuation of our current grant, which developed and optimized a coating for corrosion resistance on ceramic with the goal of producing fracture-resistant restorations. Our data demonstrated excellent corrosion resistance, anti-bacterial and bone forming properties of an optimized silicon carbide (SiC) coating and this competing renewal will provide an expanded application for this coating with dental implants. The long-term goal of this research is to develop an implant which will increase osseointegration and prevent peri-implantitis to improve long-term restoration outcomes. The overall objective is to critically evaluate the anti-corrosive, anti-bacterial and bone integration properties of dental implants with a pioneering design that will incorporate nanostructured topography and protective coatings, which we developed in the previous funding cycle, using a rat model that will physiologically simulate the etiology of peri-implantitis. This unique, translational research project will employ the use of a rat model with physiologically induced bacterial-mediated peri-implantitis. A combination of nanostructure technology through anodization of the titanium surface, customized for osteofunctional and anti-bacterial efficacy, will be applied in conjunction with protective coatings (Silicon Carbide and Quaternized Silicon Carbide) developed during the last funding cycle. This combination is expected to potentiate the osseointegrative, anti-bacterial and anti-corrosive properties of both surface modifications to create a predictable implant restoration. Initial in vitro experiments will be conducted to determine ideal nanostructure surface for osseointegration. We will coat these customized nanostructures to develop a new implant design for placement in animal models to determine osseointegration, anti-bacterial and anti-corrosive properties using state of the art nanoCT visualization of the in vivo pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. We propose the following aims to test our central hypothesis: Aim 1: To optimize nanostructure design for increasing osseointegrative potential on Ti surfaces in vitro; Aim 2: To optimize the effect of customized nanostructured coated implant surfaces on bacterial adhesion and proliferation, and corrosion in vitro; Aim 3: To determine in vivo the rate and amount of osseointegration in implants with customized nanostructure topography during early and late stage implant placement in rabbits using stability evaluation, nano-CT evaluation and histological analysis; Aim 4: To determine the effectiveness of customized nanostructured coated implants in osseointegration and prevention of peri-implantitis in vivo in the rat model of polymicro...