Bone response of Mg ion‐implanted clinical implants with the plasma source ion implantation method

Abstract

This study examined the bone response of magnesium (Mg) ion-implanted implants produced using a plasma source ion implantation method. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The screw-type titanium implants were treated with resorbable blasting media (RBM) and divided into one control group (RBM implants) and three test groups (Mg ion-implanted implants with different retained Mg doses). Twenty-four implants from each group were placed into the tibiae of 24 New Zealand white rabbits. After allowing 6 weeks for healing, the removal torque (RTQ) was measured and the implants were subjected to histomorphometric analysis. The surface roughness and surface morphology of the test groups were similar. The Mg ion-implanted implants with a 2.3 x 10(15) ions/cm(2) retained dose showed a significantly higher RTQ than the other implants. Histomorphometric analysis indicated that the bone contact of this group was superior to the other groups. The bone response of Mg ion-implanted implant showed results superior or similar to an RBM-treated implant. The optimal Mg ion concentration that induced the strongest osseointegration was approximately 9%.