Effects of fluoride-ion-implanted titanium surface on the cytocompatibility in vitro and osseointegatation in vivo for dental implant applications.

As an attractive technique for the improvement of biomaterials, Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has been applied to modifying the titanium material for dental implant application. The present study investigated the cytocompatibility and early osseointegration of fluoride-ion-implanted titanium (F-Ti) surface and implants, both characterizing in their composition of titanium oxide and titanium fluoride. The cytocompatibility of F-Ti was evaluated in vitro by using scanning electron microscope, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, alkaline phosphatase activity assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the F-Ti weakened the effects that Porphyromonas gingivalis exerted on the MG-63 cells in terms of morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and genetic expression when MG-63 cells and Porphyromonas gingivalis were co-cultured on the surface of F-Ti. Meanwhile, the osteogenic activity of F-Ti implants was assessed in vivo via evaluating the histological morphology and estimating histomorphometric parameters. The analysis of toluidine blue staining indicated that the new bone was more mature in subjects with F-Ti group, which exhibited the Haversian system, and the mean bone-implant contact value of F-Ti group was slightly higher than that of cp-Ti group (p>0.05). Fluorescence bands were wider and brighter in the F-Ti group, and the intensity of fluorochromes deposited at the sites of mineralized bone formation was significantly higher for F-Ti surfaces than for cp-Ti surfaces, within the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks (p<0.05). An indication is that the fluoride modified titanium can promote cytocompatibility and early osseointegration, thus providing a promising alternative for clinical use.

[A comparative analysis of the passive electric probe detection and spectrum diagnosis of laser-induced plasma].

An approach to detecting laser-induced plasma using passive probe was brought up. The plasma of laser welding was studied by using a synchronous electric and spectral information acquisition system, the laser-induced plasma was detected by a passive electric probe and fiber spectrometer, the electrical signal was analyzed on the basis of the theory of plasma sheath, and the temperature of laser-induced plasma was calculated by using the method of relative spectral intensity. The analysis results from electrical signal and spectral one were compared. Calculation results of three kinds of surface circumstances, which were respectively coated by KF, TiO2 and without coating, were compared. The factors affecting the detection accuracy were studied. The results indicated that the results calculated by passive probe matched that by spectral signal basically, and the accuracy was affected by ions mass of the plasma. The designed passive electric probe can be used to reflect the continuous fluctuation of electron temperature of the generated plasma, and monitor the laser-induced plasma.

PIIID-formed (Ti, O)/Ti, (Ti, N)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti coatings on NiTi shape memory alloy for medical applications.

(Ti, O)/Ti, (Ti, N)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti composite coatings were fabricated on NiTi shape memory alloy via plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID). Surface morphology of samples was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cross-sectional morphology indicated that the PIIID-formed coatings were dense and uniform. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the phase composition of samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that the surface of coated NiTi SMA samples was Ni-free. Nanoindentation measurements and pin-on-disc tests were carried out to evaluate mechanical properties and wear resistance of coated NiTi SMA, respectively. For the in vitro biological assessment of the composite coatings in terms of cell morphology and cell viability, osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells were cultured on NiTi SMA samples, respectively. SaOS-2 cells attached and spread better on coated NiTi SMA. Viability of MCF-7 cells showed that the PIIID-formed composite coatings were noncytotoxic and coated samples were more biocompatible than uncoated samples.

(Ti, O)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti composite coatings fabricated via PIIID for the medical application of NiTi shape memory alloy.

In this investigation, the plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID) technique was used to fabricate (Ti, O)/Ti or (Ti, O, N)/Ti coatings on a NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA, 50.8 at.% Ni) to improve its corrosion, wear resistance, and bioactivity. After coating fabrication, the structure and properties of composite coatings were studied, and the coated and uncoated NiTi SMA samples were compared with each other. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of coating surfaces and cross-sections showed that (Ti, O)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti composite coatings were dense and uniform, having thickness values of 1.16 ± 0.08 µm and 0.95 ± 0.06 µm, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that there were no diffraction peaks corresponding to TiO(2) or TiN for (Ti, O)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti composite coatings, suggesting that after the PIIID treatment, TiO(2) and TiN were amorphous or nanosized in the coatings. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis indicated that the interface between the coating and NiTi SMA substrate was gradual rather than sharp. In addition, EDX elemental mapping of coating cross-sections showed that Ni was depleted from the surface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves revealed that the shape memory ability of NiTi SMA was not degraded by the PIIID treatment. The width of wear tracks on (Ti, O, N)/Ti coated NiTi SMA samples was reduced 6.5-fold, in comparison with that on uncoated samples. The corrosion potential (E(corr) ) was improved from -466.20 ± 37.82 mV for uncoated samples to 125.50 ± 21.49 mV and -185.40 ± 37.05 mV for (Ti, O)/Ti coated and (Ti, O, N)/Ti coated samples, respectively. Both types of coatings facilitated bone-like apatite formation on the surface of NiTi SMA in simulated body fluid (SBF), indicating their in vitro bioactivity.

[Influence of fluoride ion-implanted titanium on the formation of focal adhesion plaque in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the chemical composition of the modified surface of fluoride ion-implanted titanium and assess the effect on the formation of focal adhesion plaque in vitro. METHODS: Pure commercial titanium discs were treated with fluoride ion implantation by plasma immersion ion implantation technique (PIII) and chemical composition and value of the surface modification layer were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). In order to investigate the formation of focal adhesion plaque, MG-63 cells were seeded onto the surfaces of the modified Ti discs and quantified by morphometric analysis using an immunofluorescence microscope. RESULTS: The full range XPS spectra and fitting results indicated that the surface of fluoride ion-implanted titanium was the mixture of titanium dioxide and titanium trifluoride. Meanwhile, the quantity of focal adhesion plaque on fluoride ion-implanted titanium was more than that on the non-implanted titanium after 6 hours' cell culture. CONCLUSION: The XPS data revealed that the modified surface layer of fluoride ion-implanted titanium contained titanium dioxide and titanium trifluoride, which could enhance the formation of focal adhesion plaque.