Consolidation of surface treatments for dental implants and knowledge on the cellular mechanisms of osseointegration has propelled research on the sealing capacity of bone to implant surfaces. Although osseointegration is extremely important for implant success, biological sealing of the perimplantar connective tissue is crucial to maintain success in the long-term because it acts as a first barrier to epithelial migration [1].

Collagen fibers from the band of connective tissue adjacent to the junctional epithelium, which would be directed perpendicularly to the tooth surface, are directed parallel to the long axis of the implant, forming a belt-like structure around the cervical portion of the implant [2,3,4]. Therefore, no connective tissue fiber attachment is established with the implants, but only direct contact of fibroblasts from this region with the titanium surface, which together with low vascularization favors bacterial penetration [3, 5, 6].

There is no consensus in the literature as to whether surface treatment of prosthetic abutments promotes increased fibroblast proliferation and adhesion. Some studies have shown, however, that topographic modifications to the surface of prosthetic abutments maybe beneficial to the connective tissue adjacent to the abutments, optimizing repair of the gingival tissues [7,8,9,10,11]. Nanotopography and macrogeometry may influence cell adhesion and behavior, which may contribute to such findings.

Considering the importance of a marginal seal for the health and quality of the perimplant tissues, understanding fibroblast behavior on different surface features is fundamental to control the progression of perimplant disease, tissue stabilization, and esthetics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium surface treatment using different acid etching time schedules on the morphology, proliferation, and viability, as well as collagen synthesis by gingival fibroblasts.