*2.1. Preparation of Implant Fixtures*

Implant fixtures of commercially pure titanium (grade IV) were prepared as SA, SA + VUV (TS III SA, Osstem, Seoul, Korea), and SA + VUV + BS (TS III SOI, Osstem) for use in this study. As shown in Figure 1a,b, the surface roughness of the implant fixtures were measured to be 2.5 ± 0.5 μm of Ra value [15], and VUV treatment for photofunctionalization was achieved by exposing an implant fixture to low-pressure mercury-arc lamps emitting UV-C and VUV in UV ozone cleaner for 1 h. Coating the implant surface with a pH-buffering agent, comprising both of positively and negatively charged ionic groups, with 7.31 of pKa value at 37 ◦C [15,16], was supplemented for better superhydrophilicity (Figure 1c).

**Figure 1.** Morphologic observation of a sand-blasted and acid-etched (SA) surface by scanning electron microscope (SEM) at ×500 (**a**) and ×4000 magnification (**b**); (**c**) Comparison of contact angles of defibrinated sheep blood on titanium discs and implant fixtures, respectively. SA, a conventional SA surface; SA + VUV + BS, an SA surface coated with a pH-buffering agent after vacuum-UV treatment.
