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Bond strength of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite/Ti composite coatings.

One of the most important clinical applications of hydroxyapatite (HA) is as a coating on metal implants, especially plasma-sprayed HA coating applied on Ti alloy substrate. However, the poor bonding strength between HA and Ti alloy has been of concern to orthopedists. In this paper, an attempt has been made to enhance the bonding strength of HA coating by forming a composite coating with Ti. The bioactivity of the coating has also been studied. HA/Ti composite coatings were prepared via atmospheric plasma spraying on Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrates. The bond strength evaluation of HA/Ti composite coatings was performed according to ASTM C-633 test method. X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy were applied to identify the phases and the morphologies of the coatings. The bioactivity of HA/Ti composite coating was qualified by immersion of coating in simulated body fluid (SBF). The obtained results revealed that the addition of Ti to HA improved the bonding strength of coating significantly. In the SBF test, the coating surface was covered by carbonate-apatite, which was testified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, indicating good bioactivity for HA/Ti composite coating. The bioactivity of the coating has not been reduced by the addition of Ti.

Alloys↗

Structure and surface of TiNi human implants.

The surface and the "bulk" structure of TiNi implants were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning Auger microprobe analysis (AES). TiNi implants were compared with otherwise identically prepared non-implanted specimens, and sputter-cleaned and reoxidized samples. Non-implanted and implanted samples had essentially the same surface topography and microstructure. Ti, O, and C were the dominant elements detected on the surface. Trace amounts (approximately 1 at%) of Ni and Ca, N, Si, B, and S were also detected. Ti was present as TiO2 on the surface, while nickel was present in metallic form. A significant difference in Ni peak intensity was observed when retrieved or non-implanted control samples (a very low nickel content) were compared with sputter-cleaned and reoxidized samples (well-detected nickel). It is evident that the method of passivation is crucial for nickel loosening. No major changes occurred in the TiNi samples bulk structure or in the surface oxide during the implantation periods investigated.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Roughness response genes in osteoblasts.

Titanium (Ti) and Ti alloys are widely used as dental and orthopedic implants, but the effects of the surface characteristics of these materials, including roughness, on the response of target tissues in vivo are not well understood. The present study has therefore examined the effects of a moderately rough (sand-blasted, acid-etched; SLA) Ti surface, a highly rough (plasma-sprayed; TPS) surface, and a smooth surface (SMO) on bone cells in vitro. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that these surfaces had similar surface chemistry, while scanning electron microscopy suggested that the SLA provided a transiently less biocompatible surface, with initially less well-attached cells. SLA also delayed bone cell growth compared with SMO, whereas the TPS surface elicited the greatest increase in cell numbers. In addition, expression profiling using the ATLAS gene array showed marked differences in gene responses after 3 h of incubation; this increased further after 24 h, with TPS generating the largest number of up- and down-regulated genes compared with SLA and SMO. A number of osteoblast genes were also identified as 'roughness' genes on the basis of their similar response on SLA and TPS, compared with SMO. These findings show, for the first time, that the surface roughness of Ti has a profound effect on the profile of genes expressed by bone cells and suggest that improvements in the biological activity and possibly the clinical efficacy of these materials could be achieved by selective regulation of gene expression mediated via modification of surface roughness.

Adult↗

Physical characterization of different-roughness titanium surfaces, with and without hydroxyapatite coating, and their effect on human osteoblast-like cells.

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare various titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on Ti6Al4V, in view of their application on noncemented orthopedic implants. Two innovative vacuum plasma sprayed (VPS) coatings, the first of ultrahigh rough and dense Ti (PG60, Ra=74 microm) and the second of ultrahigh rough and dense Ti coated with HA (HPG60, Ra=52 microm), have been developed, and the response of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) seeded on these new coatings was evaluated in comparison to: a low roughness and sandblasted (Ti/SA, Ra=4 microm) Ti6Al4V surface; Ti medium (TI01, Ra=18 microm), and high (TI60, Ra=40 microm) roughness VPS coatings; and the relative Ti plus HA duplex coatings (HT01, Ra=12 microm and HT60, Ra=36 microm respectively), also obtained by VPS. PG60 coating presented no open porosity, making it dense and potentially intrinsically stronger. Cell adhesion and proliferation on PG60 was similar to those of the smoothest one (Ti/SA) and adhesion on ultrahigh roughness was lower than the medium- and high-roughness coatings, whereas cell proliferation on PG60 was lower than TI60. The HA coating determined significant increases in cell proliferation at medium and high roughness levels when compared to the relative Ti coating, but not compared to the ultrahigh one; all HA-coated surfaces showed a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen I production. Surface morphology and the HA coating strongly affected cell behavior. However, ultrahigh values of roughness are not correctly seen by cells, and the presence of HA has no improving effects.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Long-term results of guided tissue regeneration therapy with non-resorbable and bioabsorbable barriers. III. Class II furcations after 10 years.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this 10-year follow-up was to evaluate the long-term results after guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy of Class II furcation defects using non-resorbable and bioabsorbable barriers clinically. METHODS: In nine patients with advanced periodontitis, nine pairs of contralateral Class II furcation defects were treated. Within each patient, one defect received a non-resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier (ePTFE; C) and the other a bioabsorbable (polyglactin 910; T) barrier by random assignment. At baseline and 12 and 120 +/- 6 months after surgery, clinical parameters were obtained. RESULTS: Twelve and 120 months after GTR therapy, statistically significant (P <0.05) horizontal clinical attachment level (CAL-H) gain was observed in both groups (C12: 1.9 +/- 0.5 mm; C120: 1.1 +/- 1.3 mm; T12: 1.9 +/- 0.8 mm; T120: 1.7 +/- 1.4 mm). However, one patient with furcations that had been assessed as Class I 12 months after GTR therapy had lost two teeth after 10 years, and another patient had lost more than 2 mm CAL-H at one furcation from 12 to 120 +/- 6 months post-surgery 10 years after implantation of an ePTFE barrier. Horizontal bone sounding revealed similar bone gain in both groups 120 +/- 6 months post-surgery (C120: 0.8 +/- 1.0 mm; T120: 1.1 +/- 1.1 mm). CONCLUSIONS: CAL-H gain achieved after GTR therapy in Class II furcations was stable after 10 years in 15 of 18 defects (83%). The study failed to show a statistically significant difference in stability of CAL-H gain between group C and T 10 years after GTR therapy.

Absorbable Implants↗

Cold crucible levitation melting of biomedical Ti-30 wt%Ta alloy.

Recently, titanium-tantalum alloys have been studied as implant materials for dental and orthopedic surgery. However, titanium and tantalum are difficult to mix by common arc melting and induction melting, because of their high melting point and the marked difference between their densities (Ti: 1,680 degrees C, 4.5 g/cm3, Ta: 2,990 degrees C, 16.6 g/cm3). Thus, the Cold Crucible Levitation Melting (CCLM) method was chosen to produce a Ti-30 wt%Ta binary alloy in the present study. The CCLM furnace, with 1 kg capacity, consisted of a water-cooled crucible comprising oxygen-free high purity copper segments and coils wrapped around the crucible and connected to a frequency inverter power supply. A qualified ingot of 1.0 kg of Ti-30 wt%Ta alloy was obtained. The ingot was characterized from the surface quality, chemical composition distribution and microstructure, and finally the melting process was discussed.

Alloys↗

Microvascular response of striated muscle to common arthroplasty-alloys: A comparative in vivo study with CoCrMo, Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-6Al-7Nb.

The impairment of skeletal muscle microcirculation by a biomaterial may have profound consequences. Due to excellent physical and corrosion characteristics, CoCrMo-, Ti-6Al-4V-, and Ti-6Al-7Nb-alloys are commonly used in orthopedic surgery. Yet concern has been raised with regard to the implications of inevitable corrosion product of these metals on the surrounding biologic environment, particularly in the case of CoCrMo. We, therefore, studied in vivo nutritive perfusion and leukocytic response of striated muscle to these alloys, thereby drawing conclusions on their inflammatory potential. In 28 hamsters, utilizing the dorsal skinfold chamber preparation and intravital microscopy, we could demonstrate that the implant material CoCrMo has a marked impact on local microvascular parameters. While the Ti-alloys Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb induced only a transient and moderate inflammatory response, the implantation of a CoCrMo sample led to a distinct and persistent activation of leukocytes combined with disruption of the microvascular endothelial integrity and marked leukocyte extravasation. Animals with Ti-alloys showed a clear tendency of recuperation, while in all but one CoCrMo-treated animals, a breakdown of microcirculation prior to the scheduled end of the experiment was observed. Overall, the alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb was tolerated slightly better than Ti-6Al-4V under the chosen test conditions, though this discrepancy was not statistically significant. Conclusively, the commonly used biomaterials Ti-6Al-7Nb and Ti-6Al-4V induce a considerably lower inflammatory response in the skeletal muscle microvascular system, compared to a CoCrMo-alloy. With a minimum of adverse host reaction, our results indicate that for this particular model Ti-alloys are better tolerated than CoCrMo implant materials.

Alloys↗

[In vitro studies about the effects of implanted materials on osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase of rat osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the four implant materials, hydroxyl poly calcium sodium phosphate (HPA), hydroxyapatite (HA), bioglass ceramics (BGC) and titanium (Ti) on osteocalcin secreting amount and alkaline phosphatase activity of rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro, and expose the biological compatibility conditions of the implant materials as well as the index to estimate cytocompatibility. METHODS: The powders of HPA, HA, BGC and Ti were sterilized and made into extracted solutions with 199 culture medium, and the isolated osteoblasts which were taken from three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats' calvaria, were incubated in 199 culture medium too. Then the osteoblasts were mixed and incubated into the four kinds of extracted solutions of the implant materials. After eight days of co-incubation, the cells were taken out to measure alkaline phosphatase activity with velocity analysis, and the extracellular liquid was used to estimate osteocalcin secreting amount with radioisotope analysis. RESULTS: 1. Osteocalcin secreting amount of the osteoblasts co-incubated with HPA, HA, BGC were as normal as the control, while that of other cells co-incubated with titanium was reduced (P < 0.05). 2. Alkaline phosphatase activities of all the co-incubated osteoblasts were as normal as the control. CONCLUSION: The osteocalcin secreting amount and alkaline phosphatase activity can reflect the biological compatibility of implant materials, and they may be used as indexes to evaluate biological compatibility condition of implant materials.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Cytological evaluation of the tissue-implant reaction associated with subcutaneous implantation of polymers coated with titaniumcarboxonitride in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of titanium-coated polymers on the inflammatory response and remodeling of connective tissue during wound-healing processes. Discs of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and silicone as well as high-weight meshes of polypropylene (PP) were coated with a titaniumcarboxonitride (Ti(C,N,O)) layer by a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition process (PACVD) and implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal lumbar region of Wistar rats. Light microscopic and histological evaluation of capsule thickness, capsule quality, implant-tissue interface and collagen composition was performed 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-operatively. All implants were surrounded by a fibrous capsule with decreasing thickness after 2-4 weeks post-implantation. Titaniumcarboxonitride-coated polymers showed no significant differences in capsule thickness and inflammatory cellular response. An increased collagen type III/I ratio, especially for titaniumcarboxonitride-coated materials, was found in week one after implantation remaining elevated up to week 4. This might be associated with disordered collagen metabolism and immature scar reaction. In contrast to previous in vitro experiments, Ti-coating of polymers did not improve biocompatibility after subcutaneous implantation in rats. Material reduction to low-weight meshes and enlargement of pore size may demonstrate a benefit of Ti-coated meshes with an increased biocompatibility.

Animals↗

Roles of Rac and cytosolic phospholipase A2 in the intracellular signalling in response to titanium particles.

Titanium (Ti) particle is one of the prosthetic materials commonly used in implantation and has frequently been implicated in pathogenesis such as periprosthetic osteolysis. In the present study, we undertook to understand the intracellular signalling pathway stimulated by exogenous Ti at Rat-2 fibroblasts. By reporter gene analysis following transient transfections, exogenous Ti was shown to stimulate c-fos serum response element (SRE)-dependent luciferase activities in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Ti-induced SRE activation was shown to be dramatically repressed by RacN17, a dominant negative mutant of Rac1, suggesting that Rac GTPase is essential for the signalling of Ti to c-fos SRE. Furthermore, pretreatment with MAFP, an inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), MK886, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), or indomethacin, a general inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX), also significantly repressed Ti-induced SRE activation, suggesting mediatory roles of cPLA(2) and subsequent arachidonic acid (AA) metabolisms to leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandins (PGs) in the Ti signalling to c-fos SRE. Consistent with these results, intracellular levels of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) were Rac-dependently elevated in cells exposed to Ti particles.

Animals↗

Cytocompatibility of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloys according to three surface treatments, using human fibroblasts and osteoblasts.

Titanium alloys are well known for their superior mechanical properties as well as for their good biocompatibility, making them desirable as surgical implant materials. However, these alloys have been proven to behave poorly in friction since wear particles were often detected in tissues and organs associated with titanium implants. In this paper, three surface treatments were investigated in order to improve the wear resistance and the hardness of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-5Al-2.5Fe: (a) glow discharge nitrogen implantation (10(17) atoms cm-2), (b) plasma nitriding by plasma diffusion treatment (PDT) and (c) deposition of TiN layer by plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) additionally to PDT. Surface characterization after the different treatments showed considerable improvement in surface hardness, especially after the two nitriding processes. Moreover, the good corrosion resistance of untreated alloys was maintained. A cell culture model using human cells was chosen to study the effect of such treatments on the cytocompatibility of these materials. The results showed that Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy was as cytocompatible as the Ti-6Al-4V alloy and the same surface treatment led to identical biological consequences on both alloys. Nitrogen implantation did not modify at all the cellular behaviour observed on untreated samples. After the two nitriding treatments, cell proliferation and viability appeared to be significantly reduced and the scanning electron microscopy study revealed somewhat irregular surface states. However, osteoblast phenotype expression and protein synthesis capacity were not affected. PDT and PACVD may be interesting alternatives to the physical vapour deposition technique.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

[In vitro studies about the effects of implant materials on calmodulin, introcellular calcium of rat osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: 1. To evaluate the effects of the four implant materials, hydroxyl poly calcium sodium phosphate (HPA), hydroxyapatite (HA), bioglass ceramics (BGC) and titanium (Ti) on the calmodulin (CaM) content of osteoblasts, the concentration of intracellular free calcium and the ATPases activity of cell membrane of rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro; 2. To reveal the biological compatibility of the four implant materials and the index to estimate the biological compatibility condition. METHODS: The powders of HPA, HA, BGC and Ti were sterilized and made into extracted solutions with 199 culture medium. The isolated osteoblasts, which were taken from three-day-old sparague Dawley rats' calvaria, were incubated in 199 culture medium also. Then the osteoblasts were mixed and incubated into the four kinds of extracted solutions of the implant materials. After three days of co-incubation, the cells were taken out, and the cellular calmodulin content were measured with radiobiological analysis. The concentration of intracellular free calcium were under fluorescent analysis, and the ATPases activities of cell membrane were estimated with colorimetric analysis. RESULTS: 1. Calmodulin content of the osteoblasts co-incubated with all the implant materials decreased, and moreover, only that of the Ti group decreased more obviously than that of the Ti and HPA group (P < 0.05). 2. The concentration of intracellular free calcium of all the co-incubated osteoblasts were as normal as that of the control group. 3. Ca(2+)-ATPases activities of osteoblasts co-incubated with HPA, HA, BGC increased (P < 0.05), and Na+/K(+)-ATPases activities of the cells co-incubated with HPA, HA were strenghtened (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The indexes of cellular calmodulin content, concentration of intracellular free calcium and ATPases activity of cell membrane can reflect the biological compatibility of implant materials, and they may be used as indexes of estimating biological compatibility condition.

Animals↗

In vivo biocompatibility evaluation of nickel-titanium shape memory metal alloy: muscle and perineural tissue responses and encapsule membrane thickness.

Nickel-titanium shape memory alloy (Nitinol) has properties that could be very useful in surgical applications. Thermal shape memory, superelasticity, and high damping properties make such alloys behave differently compared to other implant metals. There has previously been a lack of sufficient evidence on the biocompatibility of Nitinol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate general soft tissue response and biocompatibility to Nitinol in vivo, and to clarify neural and perineural responses, previously unreported. Seventy-five rats were randomized into three groups. Test specimens were implanted into paravertebral muscle and near the sciatic nerve. A comparison was made between Nitinol, stainless steel, and Ti-6Al-4V. The animals were euthanized at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 26 weeks after implantation. General morphologic and histologic observations were made under light microscopy. Semiautomatic computerized image analysis was used to measure the encapsule membrane thickness around the implants. The muscular tissue response to Nitinol was clearly nontoxic, regardless of the time period. The overall inflammatory response to Nitinol was very similar to that of stainless steel and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. There were no necroses, granulomas, or signs of dystrophic soft tissue clacification. The immune cell response to Nitinol remained low. Only a few foreign-body giant cells were present. The detected neural and perineural responses were also clearly nontoxic and nonirritating with Nitinol. No qualitative differences in histology between the different test materials could be seen. At 8 weeks, the encapsule membrane of Nitinol was thicker than that of stainless steel (mean 62 +/- 25 microns vs. 41 +/- 8 microns). At the end of the study, the encapsule thickness was equal to all the materials tested. We concluded that Nitinol had good in vivo biocompatibility after intramuscular and perineural implantation in rats in the 26-week follow-up. Based on the results of the present study, Nitinol appears to have good potential for clinical use.

Animals↗

Ability of zirconia double coated with titanium and hydroxyapatite to bond to bone under load-bearing conditions.

As a preclinical study, we evaluated the ability of hydroxyapatite and titanium on zirconia (HTOZ) to bond to bone under load-bearing conditions in animal experiments. HTOZ, HA, and Ti on Co-Cr alloy (HTOC) and Ti on Co-Cr alloy (TOC) were implanted into the weight-bearing portion of the femoral condyles of nine beagle dogs. Femurs were extracted 4, 12, and 52 weeks after implantation and examined mechanically by pullout testing, and histologically by toluidine blue staining, SEM, and calculation of the affinity index. The interfacial shear strengths (mean+/-SD) of the HTOZ, HTOC, and TOC groups were 4.42+/-0.453, 3.90+/-0.903, and 4.08+/-0.790 MPa at 4 weeks; 6.82+/-2.64, 6.00+/-1.88, and 6.63+/-1.63 MPa at 12 weeks; and 13.98+/-1.94, 11.95+/-1.51, and 10.78+/-0.83 MPa at 52 weeks. There were no significant differences in the interfacial shear strengths between the three groups at any time. Affinity indices (mean+/-SD) obtained from SEM images of the HTOZ, HTOC, and TOC groups were 49.6+/-6.52%, 43.3+/-10.43%, and 23.7+/-3.95% at 4 weeks; 55.0+/-6.72%, 51.5+/-3.07%, and 28.6+/-4.09% at 12 weeks; and 59.1+/-6.73%, 63.0+/-6.40%, and 34.3+/-6.72% at 52 weeks. HA-coated implants (HTOZ, HTOC) had significantly higher affinity indices than non-HA-coated implants (TOC) at all times. HTOZ has the ability to bond to bone equivalent to HTOC and TOC. HTOZ is an excellent material for components of cementless joint prostheses.

Adhesiveness↗

Ex vivo PMA-induced respiratory burst and TNF-alpha secretion elicited from inflammatory cells on machined and porous blood plasma clot-coated titanium.

The release of inflammatory mediators around implants and normal wounds may differ due to the presence of the solid surface. In this study, machined and sub-micron porous titanium implants with and without a 100 nm thick blood plasma clot were inserted subcutaneously in rat for 3 or 24 h. The cell recruitment to the interfaces, in vivo secretion of TNF-alpha and the ex vivo PMA-induced production of reactive oxygen species were subsequently investigated. The thin plasma clot coating gave rise to an increased ex vivo PMA-stimulated oxygen radical production by implant-associated cells at both implantation times, and an increased cell recruitment at 24 h. The total TNF-alpha secretion was highest at sham sites and plasma clot-coated porous titanium at 24 h. After 24 h, the cell-type pattern in the exudate around the porous plasma-coated implant was more similar to that found at sham sites than that adjacent to the non-coated implants. No differences were observed between the machined Ti and the machined sub-micron porous Ti.

Animals↗

Radiographic parameters for prognosis of periodontal healing of infrabony defects: two different definitions of defect depth.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate defect width and two different definitions of defect depth as prognostic factors of periodontal healing in infrabony defects treated by regenerative therapy 6 and 24 months after surgery. METHODS: In 32 patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis, 50 infrabony defects were treated by the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique using non-resorbable or bioabsorbable barriers. Clinical parameters were assessed, and 50 triplets of standardized radiographs were taken before surgery and 6 and 24 months after surgery. Using a computer-assisted analysis, the distances cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) to alveolar crest (AC), CEJ to bony defect (BD), horizontal projection of the most coronal extension of the bony wall to the root surface to BD, width, and angle of the bony defects were measured. Depth of the bony defect was 1) calculated as CEJ-BD minus CEJ-AC (INFRA1) and 2) measured as horizontal projection of the most coronal extension of the bony wall to the root surface to BD (INFRA2). RESULTS: Whereas statistically significant vertical clinical attachment level gains (CAL-V: 3.36 +/- 1.59 mm/ 3.41 +/- 1.72 mm; P < 0.001) could be found both 6 and 24 months after surgery, bony fill (0.70 +/- 2.52 mm; P = 0.056/1.21 +/- 2.55 mm; P < 0.005) was significant 24 months post-surgically only. In a multilevel regression analysis, CAL-V gain was predicted by bioabsorbable membrane (P = 0.005), baseline probing depths (PD) (P < 0.001), and actual smoking (P < 0.05). Bony fill could be predicted by baseline depth of the infrabony component as determined by INFRA2 (P < 0.05), angulation of bony defect (P < 0.005), and gingival index at baseline (P < 0.001). In narrow (< 37 degrees) and deep (> or = 4 mm) infrabony defects, bony fill was more pronounced than in wide and shallow defects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement achieved by GTR in infrabony defects can be maintained up to 24 months after surgery. Narrow and deep infrabony defects respond radiographically and are to some extent clinically more favorable to GTR therapy than are wide and shallow defects. The infrabony component of bony defects, as determined by the distance from the most coronal extension of the lateral bony wall to BD (INFRA2), is a better predictor of bony fill than that determined by AC-BD (INFRA1).

Absorbable Implants↗

Characterizations of titanium implant surfaces. III.

There are several reports in the literature concerning the similarities and the differences between the oxide on cpTi and Ti-6A1-4V alloy; however, their biological sequelae are not entirely known. In this work, a series of surface characterization techniques were used in conjunction with short term in vitro biological assays to assess the effects of materials selection (cpTi and Ti alloy) on osteoblast-like cell responses. Surface analysis indicated that with the exception of oxide thickness, there were no significant differences in surface characteristics between the two implant materials. These results were reflected in the biological studies, where the levels of cell attachment and adaptation of the attached cells to the titanium surfaces were similar. These results are in general agreement with previous in vivo studies and continue to indicate that cpTi and Ti alloy are suitable, biologically compatible materials for fabrication of dental implants.

Animals↗

Reduction of fretting corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V by various surface treatments.

Titanium and titanium-6% aluminum-4% vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) are known to be biocompatible and corrosion resistant. However, there have been numerous reports of elevated tissue levels of titanium due to passive dissolution, wear, or fretting corrosion of implants. Studies were undertaken to determine whether the fretting corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V could be reduced by surface treatment of one or both surfaces in a fretting situation. Three different surface treatments were studied: ion implantation, physical vapor deposition nitriding, and plasma ion nitriding. The specimens used were screws fretting against the countersinks of a two-hole plate. Fretting corrosion was assessed by weight loss, by chemical analysis of test solutions, and by scanning electron microscopy. Surface treatment of one component, the screws, resulted in reduction in the release of titanium to only 18-32% of that seen with the untreated controls. Weight loss of the untreated plates fretted against physical vapor deposition nitrided screws and plasma ion nitrided screws was reduced to 31 and 38% of the control, respectively. The weight loss of plasma nitrided screws was only 30% that of the control. Nitriding of both plates and screws resulted in a further decrease in plate weight loss and metal release. Plasma ion nitriding of both components had the most significant effect, with the weight loss and titanium release being only 11 and 2% of the control values, respectively.

Alloys↗