Long-term observation for osseointegriation of calcium 'phosphate sol-gel coating on Ti-6Al-4V implants.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the long-term impact of calcium phosphate (CaP) sol-gel coating on bone growth around porous-surfaced implant. METHODS: The porous-surfaced Ti-6Al-4V implants were prepared with the addition of a thin film of CaP sol-gel coating, and implanted into the tibiae of 8 rabbits, each with two implants. Implanted sites were allowed to heal for 2, 8, 12, and 24 weeks, after which specimens were obtained for scanning electron microscope analysis using the freeze-fracture technique. RESULTS: The sol-gel coated implants recovered by freeze-fracture technique showed extensive bone growth from the endosteum along the implant surface. The bone was in direct contact with the CaP layer. The cement line-like layer was clearly demonstrated to be an intervening electron dense afibrillar layer between the CaP coat and the overlying newly deposited bone. The stability and osseointegration of the porous-surfaced implants seemed not to be affected by the osteoclastic resorption of CaP layer occurred during 24 weeks of healing. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings in the long-term observation, the addition of a thin layer of CaP promotes an extensive osseointegrated interface between the porous-surfaced Ti-6Al-4V implants and the newly deposited bone.

Cytotoxicity study of a novel implant material modified by microarc oxidation.

This study examined the cytotoxicity of a new implant material modified by microarc oxidation technique. Cells on different surfaces of the implant were evaluated 2, 4 and 6 days after treatment. The results showed that cell attachment, cell morphology, and cell proliferation were influenced by the different surface treatments, and a significant increase in the osteoblast cell activity was observed on the porous MAO-Ti coating. Our results suggest that the porous MAO-Ti surface has a better biocompatibility and electrochemical performance than pure titanium surface.