Chemical bioactivation of titanium surface for dental implants

Abstract

Abstract A thermochemical treatment was developed to bioactivate titanium surfaces for dental implants. Titanium samples were roughened by acid etching in HCl/H2SO4 solution and then autoclaved for 60 min in a bioactive solution. The sample surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, surface angle measurements, confocal scanning laser microscopy, and in-vitro testing. The results indicated hydrophilic sample surfaces and formation of sub-surface porosity after the thermochemical treatment. The treated surfaces also successfully induced Ca–P precipitation during in-vitro testing in simulated body fluid.