Abstract
Improved implant osteointegration offers meaningful potential for orthopedic, spinal, and dental implants. In this study, a laser treatment was used for the structuring of a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) surface combined with a titanium dioxide coating, whereby a porous surface was created. The objective was to characterize the pore structure shape, treatment-related metallographic changes, cytocompatibility, and attachment of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63). The treatment generated specific bottleneck pore shapes, offering the potential for the interlocking of osteoblasts within undercuts in the implant surface. The pore dimensions were a bottleneck diameter of 27 µm (SD: 4 µm), an inner pore width of 78 µm (SD: 6 µm), and a pore depth of 129 µm (SD: 8 µm). The introduced energy of the laser changed the metallic structure of the alloy within the heat-affected region (approximately 66 µm) without any indication of a micro cracking formation. The phase of the alloy (microcrystalline alpha + beta) was changed to a martensite alpha phase in the surface region and an alpha + beta phase in the transition region between the pores. The MG-63 cells adhered to the structured titanium surface within 30 min and grew with numerous filopodia over and into the pores over the following days. Cell viability was improved on the structured surface compared to pure titanium, indicating good cytocompatibility. In particular, the demonstrated affinity of MG-63 cells to grow into the pores offers the potential to provide significantly improved implant fixation in further in vivo studies.
Highlights
Titanium and its alloys have been used as an implant material for decades [1,2]
Even though titanium alloys are currently in clinical use, they contain taken into account in the implant design to prevent wear and potential recalls by notified bodies [5]
The interacting surfaces is one of the critical properties requiring the most attention. To reduce these cytocompatibility [6]—or rather the toxicity [7]—of alloys or the interacting surfaces is one of the critical risks and generate optimal osteointegrative long-term implants, current research focuses on alloy properties requiring the most attention
Summary
Titanium and its alloys have been used as an implant material for decades [1,2]. Kurtz et al [3] predicted a considerable increase in orthopedic procedures of 0.57 million hip arthroplasties and 3.48 million primary total knee arthroplasties until the year 2030, which will further increase the demand. Even though titanium alloys are currently in clinical use, they contain taken into account in the implant design to prevent wear and potential recalls by notified bodies [5]. Even though titanium alloys are currently in clinical use, they contain leachable toxic elements such or wear In this context, the cytocompatibility [6]—or rather the toxicity [7]—of alloys or the as vanadium and aluminum, which could be released due to corrosion or wear. The cytocompatibility [6]—or rather the toxicity [7]—of alloys or the as vanadium and aluminum, which could be released due to corrosion or wear In this context, the interacting surfaces is one of the critical properties requiring the most attention. To reduce these risks and generate optimal osteointegrative developments [8] or new surface techniques [7] to improve these materials in terms of corrosion and long-term implants, current research focuses on alloy developments [8] or new surface techniques [7]
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