2.3 - Nanobioceramic thin films: Surface modifications and cellular responses on titanium implants

Abstract

The relationship between biological responses and surface properties of materials is one of the main issues in biomedical materials research. A major disadvantage of current synthetic implants is their failure to adapt to the local tissue environment. In the dental and orthopedic fields, improvements in biocompatibility and the reliability of titanium and its alloys can be achieved through surface modifications. The purpose of altering the surfaces of metallic materials using biomedical thin films and nanocoatings is to promote bioactivity, reliability, and biocompatibility while at the same time eliminating or reducing corrosion and metal ion release. Important factors in determining the capability and performance of coated implants under physiological environments are the mechanical and adhesion properties. The design and success of an implant depends on a number of factors that includes materials, tissue implant interactions, biomechanical factors, and a patient's health, which should be properly assessed. Furthermore, theoretical modeling approaches such as finite element analysis (FEA) are vital in the progress of understanding thin film-substrate interfacial behavior, which may result in better design and selection of thin film and substrate materials.