Surface carbon contamination is a natural phenomenon. However, it interferes with cell-biomaterial interaction. In order to eliminate the interference, atmospheric pressure plasma treatment was employed. Dielectric barrier discharge treatment of titanium surface for less than 10 min turned titanium super-hydrophilic. Adsorption of fibronectin which is the major cell adhesive protein increased after plasma treatment. Cell attachment parameters of osteoblast cells such as population, cell area, perimeter, Feret's diameter and cytoskeleton development were also enhanced. Cell proliferation increased on the plasma treated titanium. In conclusion, dielectric barrier discharge type atmospheric pressure plasma system is effective to modify titanium surface and the modified titanium promotes cell and material interactions. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.