A new advanced surface modification technique--titanium oxide ceramic surface implants: the background and long-term results.
This paper discusses the background of advanced surface modification technologies and presents a new technique that forms a titanium oxide ceramic coating with relatively long-term clinical use. Three general techniques are used to modify surfaces: adding or removing material, or changing material already present. Surface properties can also be changed through laser or electron beam thermal treatment without adding or removing material. The new technique outlined in this paper describes producing a corrosion-resistant, 2000 A to 2500 A thick, coherent crystalline oxide ceramic layer on the surface of titanium implants. The layer is grown electrochemically from the bulk of the metal and modified by heat treatment. Compared with implants covered with other coatings, the improved properties of such oxide ceramic-coated implants include the advantages of higher external hardness and greater adherence between the titanium and the ceramic oxide coating. The virtually perfect insulation between the tissue and the metal prevents metal allergy. The coated implants were subjected to various physical and chemical tests and electron microscopy for a qualitative characterization. Finally, these implants (plates, screws for maxillofacial osteosynthesis, and dental root implants) were followed in surgical practice for 10 years. Tests demonstrated and the acquired experience confirmed the good properties of the titanium oxide ceramic-coated implants.