Abstract
We report on biological-derived hydroxyapatite (HA, of animal bone origin) doped with lithium carbonate (Li-C) and phosphate (Li-P) coatings synthesized by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) onto Ti6Al4V implants, fabricated by the additive manufacturing (AM) technique. After being previously validated by in vitro cytotoxicity tests, the Li-C and Li-P coatings synthesized onto 3D Ti implants were preliminarily investigated in vivo, by insertion into rabbits’ femoral condyles. The in vivo experimental model for testing the extraction force of 3D metallic implants was used for this study. After four and nine weeks of implantation, all structures were mechanically removed from bones, by tensile pull-out tests, and coatings’ surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The inferred values of the extraction force corresponding to functionalized 3D implants were compared with controls. The obtained results demonstrated significant and highly significant improvement of functionalized implants’ attachment to bone (p-values ≤0.05 and ≤0.00001), with respect to controls. The correct placement and a good integration of all 3D-printed Ti implants into the surrounding bone was demonstrated by performing computed tomography scans. This is the first report in the dedicated literature on the in vivo assessment of Li-C and Li-P coatings synthesized by PLD onto Ti implants fabricated by the AM technique. Their improved mechanical characteristics, along with a low fabrication cost from natural, sustainable resources, should recommend lithium-doped biological-derived materials as viable substitutes of synthetic HA for the fabrication of a new generation of metallic implant coatings.
Highlights
The increase of life expectancy and the enhanced frequency of injuries and diseases are considered the most important causes for the escalating demand for dental and orthopedic devices
The laser melting deposition (LMD) technique was used for the manufacturing of threeThe laser melting deposition (LMD) technique was used for the manufacturing of three-dimensional dimensional (3D) metallic implants
Ti implant), at weeks after, at 4 weeks surgery
Summary
The increase of life expectancy and the enhanced frequency of injuries and diseases are considered the most important causes for the escalating demand for dental and orthopedic devices. In this respect, the surface functionalization of implants with highly performant bioactive materials is currently of interest and necessary both for the prevention of failure and the prolongation of the bone implants’. If for the healthy patients, the osseointegration rate takes place at a reasonable speed, in the case of older patients, or those presenting critical medical conditions from the systemic point of view (in particular HIV positive patients that reported an increase in early failures of dental implants [15,16]), this process could be improved by applying HA-based coatings on to the implants’ surfaces
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
