Osseointegration Of Titanium Implants Research Articles

The Effect of Gold Nanoparticles and Apricot Kernel Extract on the Osseointegration of Dental Implants - A Rabbit Model

Introduction The osseointegration of dental implants is critical to their longevity and success. Various factors such as surface modifications, both additive and subtractive, systemic drug administration, growth factors, and plasma derivatives can influence osseointegration. Aims and Objectives This study aimed to study the effects of gold nanoparticles and aqueous extract of apricot kernels on the osseointegration of titanium implants in the tibia of rabbits. Materials and Methods Apricot kernels were dried, grounded, and dissolved in water to obtain an aqueous extract. It was filtered and stored in the refrigerator at 4oC. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared by mixing 3 ml of 0.02 mM hydrogen tetrachloroaurate with 1 ml of olive leaf extract. The mixture was stirred vigorously for 15 minutes on a heater stirrer at 50oC. Titanium screw implants were sterilized in an autoclave at 120oC with 15 pounds per square inch for 30 minutes. Sterilized implants were stored in sealed containers until use. The study was carried out at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Iraq. The ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional animal care and use committee, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, on 15/04/2023 on reference no UM.VET.2023.013. Nine healthy male adult white New Zealand rabbits aged between 10-12 months were utilized for the study. Three pure titanium implants, each of a type, were placed in each tibia. The implants were categorized as follows: control group (18 uncoated implants) and experimental group (36 coated implants). The implant placement was divided into three groups: controls with uncoated implants (n=18), AuNPs-coated implants (n=18), and apricot kernel extract-coated implants (n=18). General anesthesia was induced by intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride 50mg (1ml /kg of body weight) plus xylazine 2% (0.2 ml /kg of body weight). The AuNPs-coated implants were implanted in the superior osteotomy site in the tibia. The apricot kernel extract-coated implants were implanted in the inferior osteotomy site and the uncoated implants were implanted in the middle osteotomy sites. Histological and histomorphometric tests were performed on all bone implant blocks at one-week, two-week, and three-week intervals after implant placement. The results were evaluated based on the amount of bone formation, cellular components, and inflammation. Tabulated data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY) using ANOVA with a statistical significance of p <0.05 Results We observed a significant amount of osteogenesis with reduced inflammation in AuNPs-coated implants and apricot kernel extract-coated implants compared to untreated implants. The osteoclastic activity was significantly higher in untreated implants than the treated implant sites. A statistically significant association was observed between coated implants and untreated implants. Conclusion The application of gold nanoparticles and aqueous extract of apricot kernels appears to be promising in reducing inflammation and improving bone apposition on the titanium implant surface. However, this preliminary investigation warrants further research.

Effects of electrical stimulation with alternating fields on the osseointegration of titanium implants in the rabbit tibia - a pilot study.

Introduction: Electrical stimulation has been used as a promising approach in bone repair for several decades. However, the therapeutic use is hampered by inconsistent results due to a lack of standardized application protocols. Recently, electrical stimulation has been considered for the improvement of the osseointegration of dental and endoprosthetic implants. Methods: In a pilot study, the suitability of a specifically developed device for electrical stimulation in situ was assessed. Here, the impact of alternating electric fields on implant osseointegration was tested in a gap model using New Zealand White Rabbits. Stimulation parameters were transmitted to the device via a radio transceiver, thus allowing for real-time monitoring and, if required, variations of stimulation parameters. The effect of electrical stimulation on implant osseointegration was quantified by the bone-implant contact (BIC) assessed by histomorphometric (2D) and µCT (3D) analysis. Results: Direct stimulation with an alternating electric potential of 150mV and 20Hz for three times a day (45min per unit) resulted in improved osseointegration of the triangular titanium implants in the tibiae of the rabbits. The ratio of bone area in histomorphometry (2D analysis) and bone volume (3D analysis) around the implant were significantly increased after stimulation compared to the untreated controls at sacrifice 84days after implantation. Conclusion: The developed experimental design of an electrical stimulation system, which was directly located in the defect zone of rabbit tibiae, provided feedback regarding the integrity of the stimulation device throughout an experiment and would allow variations in the stimulation parameters in future studies. Within this study, electrical stimulation resulted in enhanced implant osseointegration. However, direct electrical stimulation of bone tissue requires the definition of dose-response curves and optimal duration of treatment, which should be the subject of subsequent studies.

Effect of Different Administered Doses of Capsaicin and Titanium Implant Osseointegration.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of capsaicin on implant osseointegration and oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were used in this study. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: implant + control (n = 8), implant + capsaicin-1 (n = 8), and implant + capsaicin-2 (n = 8). Additionally, 2.5 mm diameter and 4 mm length titanium implants were surgically integrated into the corticocancellous bone parts of the femurs. In the treatment groups, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg (implant + capsaicin-1) and 50 mg/kg (implant + capsaicin-2) of capsaicin. No additional applications were made in the control group. Three rats in total died during and after the experiment as a result of the analyses performed on 21 animals. Results: The highest total antioxidant status value was found in capsaicin dose 2, according to the analysis. The control group had the highest total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values, while group 2 of capsaicin had the lowest. After analysis, we found that there was no observed positive effect on osteointegration in this study (p > 0.05), although the bone implant connection was higher in the groups treated with capsaicin. Conclusions: A positive effect on osteointegration was not observed in this study. This may be due to osteoclast activation. However, it was found that it has a positive effect on oxidative stress. Osteoclast activation may be the cause of this phenomenon. Capsaicin was found to have a positive effect on oxidative stress (p < 0.05). It was also observed to have a positive effect on oxidative stress.

The Effect of Antibacterial-Osteogenic Surface Modification on the Osseointegration of Titanium Implants: A Static and Dynamic Strategy.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used biomaterials in bone repair. Although these biomaterials possess stable properties and good biocompatibility, the high elastic modulus and low surface activity of Ti implants have often been associated with infection, inflammation, and poor osteogenesis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to modify the surface of Ti implants, where changes in surface morphology or coatings loading can confer specific functions to help them adapt to the osseointegration formation phase and resist bacterial infection. This can further ensure a healthy microenvironment for bone regeneration as well as the promotion of immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. Therefore, in this review, we evaluated various functional Ti implants after surface modification, both in terms of static modifications and dynamic response strategies, mainly focusing on the synergistic effects of antimicrobial activities and functionalized osteogenic. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives are summarized to provide innovative and effective solutions for osseointegration and bone defect repair.

Biomechanical Investigation of the Osseointegration of Titanium Implants With Different Surfaces Placed With Allogeneic Bone Transfer.

Allogeneic grafts can be preferred to autogenous grafts in plastic and oral-maxillofacial surgery for vertical and horizontal bone deficiencies. Implant surface properties are an important factor in osseointegration. This study aims to evaluate the osseointegration levels of titanium implants with machined, sand-blasted, and acid-etched (SLA) and resorbable blast material (RBM) surfaces placed together with allogeneic bone tissue transplantations obtained from the tibia bone using biomechanical method. Twenty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study. The rats were divided into groups in which machined (n=7), SLA (n=7), and RBM (n=7) surface implants were placed with the transplantation of bone taken from the tibia. Four rats (both left and right tibias) were used as donors. Grafts and implants were surgically placed in the corticocancellous part of the metaphyseal area of the tibia bones of rats. At the end of the 4-week experimental setup, all rats were killed, and the implants and surrounding bone tissue were subjected to biomechanical reverse torque analysis (N/cm). Sand-blasted acid-etched surface implants were observed to have higher biomechanical osseointegration levels than RBM and machined surface implants (P<0.05). No statistical difference could be detected between the RBM and machined surface implants (P>0.05). On the basis of the limited results of this study, it can be concluded that the osseointegration levels of SLA surface implants placed with allogeneic bone transplantation may be better than those of machined and RBM surface implants.

Hydrophobic Coating Platforms for High‐Efficiency Loading and Direct Transmembrane Delivery of Fat‐Soluble Osteogenic Drug for Enhanced Osseointegration of Titanium Implants (Adv. Funct. Mater. 18/2024)

Hydrophobic Coating Platforms for High‐Efficiency Loading and Direct Transmembrane Delivery of Fat‐Soluble Osteogenic Drug for Enhanced Osseointegration of Titanium Implants (Adv. Funct. Mater. 18/2024)

Different Methods to Modify the Hydrophilicity of Titanium Implants with Biomimetic Surface Topography to Induce Variable Responses in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells.

The osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs), critical to the osseointegration of titanium implants, is enhanced on titanium surfaces with biomimetic topography, and this is further enhanced when the surfaces are hydrophilic. This is a result of changing the surface free energy to change protein adsorption, improving cell attachment and differentiation, and improving bone-to-implant contact in patients. In this study, we examined different methods of plasma treatment, a well-accepted method of increasing hydrophilicity, and evaluated changes in surface properties as well as the response of bMSCs in vitro. Commercially pure Ti and titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) disks were sand-blasted and acid-etched to impart microscale and nanoscale roughness, followed by treatment with various post-processing surface modification methods, including ultraviolet light (UV), dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-generated plasma, and plasma treatment under an argon or oxygen atmosphere. Surface wettability was based on a sessile water drop measurement of contact angle; the elemental composition was analyzed using XPS, and changes in topography were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal imaging. The cell response was evaluated using bMSCs; outcome measures included the production of osteogenic markers, paracrine signaling factors, and immunomodulatory cytokines. All plasma treatments were effective in inducing superhydrophilic surfaces. Small but significant increases in surface roughness were observed following UV, DBD and argon plasma treatment. No other modifications to surface topography were noted. However, the relative composition of Ti, O, and C varied with the treatment method. The cell response to these hydrophilic surfaces depended on the plasma treatment method used. DBD plasma treatment significantly enhanced the osteogenic response of the bMSCs. In contrast, the bMSC response to argon plasma-treated surfaces was varied, with an increase in OPG production but a decrease in OCN production. These results indicate that post-packaging methods that increased hydrophilicity as measured by contact angle did not change the surface free energy in the same way, and accordingly, cells responded differently. Wettability and surface chemistry alone are not enough to declare whether an implant has an improved osteogenic effect and do not fully explain how surface free energy affects cell response.

The Effect of Clopidogrel Treatment on Osseointegration of Titanium Implants: A Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits.

To evaluate the effect of continuous perioperative clopidogrel treatment on the osseointegration of titanium implants. A total of 32 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided between two groups: a clopidogrel group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 16). For 1 week prior to the surgical placement of a titanium implant in their medial femoral condyle, rabbits in the clopidogrel group received 3 mg/kg of clopidogrel daily, and the control group received only the vehicle. This treatment was continued for another 6 weeks postoperatively. At 6 weeks, the rabbits were euthanized and postmortem histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of the implants was performed. The surgical procedures and postoperative period were uneventful and well tolerated by all animals without any surgical wound dehiscence, signs of infection, or other complication. No implant failure was observed in any of the groups. Histomorphometric analysis showed that bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was 48.77% for the clopidogrel group and 34.65% for the control group, with statistically significant difference between them (P < .001). Moreover, clopidogrel group had significantly greater bone tissue density (40.52% vs 28.74%, respectively; P <.001) and mean trabecular thickness (284.7 μm vs 180.7 μm, respectively; P < .001) in proximity to the implant surface than the control group, while the mean trabecular number had no difference between groups (1.56 vs 1.60, respectively; P = .961). The present study showed that continuous clopidogrel treatment does not negatively affect osseointegration, but rather promotes it in terms of BIC and bone density around the titanium implants. Further studies on the effect of the P2Y12 receptor and its antagonists on peri-implant bone homeostasis may provide useful information or applications for long-term success of dental implant therapy.

Cyclosporine a inhibits bone regeneration and induces bone loss in a rat model

Cyclosporine A (CSA) is an immunosuppressant that has been extensively studied for its side effects on inhibiting osseointegration of titanium implants. However, the impact of CSA on bone healing in postmenopausal osteoporosis remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of CSA on bone repair in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. We examined the interventions of CSA on osteoblast progenitor cells MC3T3-E1 and assessed their effects on biological function using RT-qPCR, CCK-8 assay, alizarin red staining, and alkaline phosphatase staining. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of CSA on bone regeneration and bone mass in both OVX rat models and femoral diaphysis bone defect models. The results from the CCK-8 experiment indicated a positive influence of experimental doses of CSA on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. ALP expression levels and calcified nodules were also evaluated, suggesting that CSA intervention promoted osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Additionally, specific gene expressions including OPN, Runx-2, OC, and Col1a1 were up-regulated after CSA intervention. Biomechanical parameters aligned with histological analysis as well as micro-CT scans confirmed worse bone microstructure and strength following CSA intervention. Our findings preliminarily suggest that whether it is normal or osteoporotic bones, CSA has adverse effects on bone health which are associated with elevated-bone turnover.

Buccal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Source of Osseointegration of Titanium Implants.

We studied the interaction of human buccal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts differentiated from them with the surface of titanium samples. MSCs were isolated by enzymatic method from buccal fat pads. The obtained cell culture was presented by MSCs, which was confirmed by flow cytometry and differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Culturing of buccal MSCs on titanium samples was accompanied by an increase in the number of cells for 15 days and the formation of a developed network of F-actin fibers in the cells. The viability of buccal MSCs decreased by 8 days, but was restored by 15 days. Culturing of osteoblasts obtained as a result of buccal MSC differentiation on the surface of titanium samples was accompanied by a decrease in their viability and proliferation. Thus, MSCs from buccal fat pads can be used to coat implants to improve osseointegration during bone reconstruction in craniofacial surgery and dentistry. To improve the integration of osteoblasts, modification of the surface of titanium samples is required.

Catalpol Promotes Osseointegration of Titanium Implants under Conditions of Type 2 Diabetes via AKT/GSK3β/FYN Pathway-Mediated NRF2 Activation.

Catalpol (CA), a compound derived from the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, is recognized for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of CA on the osseointegration of titanium implants (TIs) in the context of type 2 diabetes and elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms. MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated on the surface of titanium plates and exposed to various media for investigating osteoblast behaviors, as follows: regular medium, medium of high glucose and high lipid (HGHL) that simulates diabetic conditions, HGHL + CA medium, or HGHL + CA + LY294002 (an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase or PI3K) medium. TIs were also surgically implanted into the femoral condyle defects in normal mice and mouse models of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). HGHL-induced oxidative stress was found to cause osteoblast dysfunction, accompanied by the inactivation of AKT/GSK3β/FYN pathway-mediated NRF2 signaling. However, CA administration effectively mitigated HGHL-induced oxidative stress and reactivated AKT/GSK3β/FYN/NRF2 signaling, resulting in the reversal of HGHL-induced dysfunctions in MC3T3-E1 cells, as evidenced by enhanced osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as reduced apoptotic injury. In addition, the positive effects of CA were confirmed in vivo by enhanced osseointegration of TIs observed in mouse models of T2DM using microcomputed tomography and histological analyses. However, the pro-osteogenic effects of CA were almost completely nullified by the addition of LY294002. These findings demonstrated for the first time that CA administration ameliorates the impairment in osseointegration of TIs under conditions of T2DM via AKT/GSK3β/FYN pathway-mediated NRF2 activation. Given its antioxidative and pro-osteogenic properties, CA administration holds promise as a reliable therapeutic strategy in the future for implant restoration in patients with T2DM.

Hydrophobic Coating Platforms for High‐Efficiency Loading and Direct Transmembrane Delivery of Fat‐Soluble Osteogenic Drug for Enhanced Osseointegration of Titanium Implants

AbstractCompared with water‐soluble osteogenic drugs, fat‐soluble osteogenic drugs exhibit higher bioavailability and drug stability, making them valuable for enhancing the osseointegration of implants. However, existing drug‐loading coatings are primarily designed for water‐soluble drugs, limiting their effectiveness in loading and delivering fat‐soluble osteogenic drugs. This study employed alkali treatment, silanization, and oleic acid acylation to sequentially modify the surface of Ti alloy, aiming to fabricate surfaces capable of efficiently loading and delivering fat‐soluble osteogenic drugs. Results show that the hydrophilicity and loading capacity of fat‐soluble osteogenic drugs strongly depended on the duration of the acylation treatment. Furthermore, the drug release mechanism involved direct diffusion from the coating to the cells in contact, resulting in improved bioavailability, as opposed to diffusion into the surrounding medium and subsequent cellular uptake. In vitro experiments using vitamine D3 (VD3) as a model drug confirmed that the coating effectively promoted bone formation through the highly efficient delivery of VD3. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the VD3‐loaded lipophilic surface significantly enhanced osteogenic capability and improved the osseointegration of titanium implants. This study provides a promising strategy for loading fat‐soluble drugs onto Ti implants and direct experimental evidence demonstrating the significant value of fat‐soluble drugs in promoting implant osseointegration.

Recent development and applications of electrodeposition biocoatings on medical titanium for bone repair.

Bioactive coatings play a crucial role in enhancing the osseointegration of titanium implants for bone repair. Electrodeposition offers a versatile and efficient technique to deposit uniform coatings onto titanium surfaces, endowing implants with antibacterial properties, controlled drug release, enhanced osteoblast adhesion, and even smart responsiveness. This review summarizes the recent advancements in bioactive coatings for titanium implants used in bone repair, focusing on various electrodeposition strategies based on material-structure synergy. Firstly, it outlines different titanium implant materials and bioactive coating materials suitable for bone repair. Then, it introduces various electrodeposition methods, including electrophoretic deposition, anodization, micro-arc oxidation, electrochemical etching, electrochemical polymerization, and electrochemical deposition, discussing their applications in antibacterial, osteogenic, drug delivery, and smart responsiveness. Finally, it discusses the challenges encountered in the electrodeposition of coatings for titanium implants in bone repair and potential solutions.

Trichostatin A enhances the titanium rods osseointegration in osteoporotic rats by the inhibition of oxidative stress through activating the AKT/Nrf2 pathway

The use of titanium implants as fixed supports following fractures in patients with OP can often result in sterile loosening and poor osseointegration. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a particularly important role in this process. While TSA has been reported to facilitate in vivo osteogenesis, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. It also remains unclear whether TSA can improve the osseointegration of titanium implants. This study investigated whether TSA could enhance the osseointegration of titanium rods by activating AKT/Nrf2 pathway signaling, thereby suppressing oxidative stress. MC3T3-E1 cells treated with CCCP to induce oxidative stress served as an in vitro model, while an OVX-induced OP rat model was employed for in vivo analysis of titanium rod implantation. In vitro, TSA treatment of CCCP-treated MC3T3-E1 cells resulted in the upregulation of osteogenic proteins together with increased AKT, total Nrf2, nuclear Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 expression, enhanced mitochondrial functionality, and decreased oxidative damage. Notably, the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 reversed these effects. In vivo, TSA effectively enhanced the microstructural characteristics of distal femur trabecular bone, increased BMSCs mineralization capacity, promoted bone formation, and improved the binding of titanium implants to the surrounding tissue. Finally, our results showed that TSA could reverse oxidative stress-induced cell damage while promoting bone healing and improving titanium rods' osseointegration through AKT/Nrf2 pathway activation.

Photoelectrons Sequentially Regulate Antibacterial Activity and Osseointegration of Titanium Implants.

Titanium implants are widely used ; however, implantation occasionally fails due to infections during the surgery or poor osseointegration after the surgery. To solve the problem, an intelligent functional surface on titanium implant that can sequentially eradicate bacteria biofilm at the initial period and promote osseointegration at the late period of post-surgery time is designed. Such surfaces can be excited by near infrared light (NIR), with rare earth nanoparticles to upconvert the NIR light to visible range and adsorb by Au nanoparticles, supported by titanium oxide porous film on titanium implants. Under NIR irradiation, the implant converts the energy of phonon to hot electrons and lattice vibrations, while the former flows directly to the contact substance or partially reacts with the surrounding to generate reactive oxygen species, and the latter leads to the local temperature increase. The biofilm or microbes on the implant surface can be eradicated by NIR treatment in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the surface exhibits superior biocompatibility for cell survival, adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, which provides the foundation for osseointegration. In vivo implantation experiments demonstrate osseointegration is also promoted. This work thus demonstrates NIR-generated electrons can sequentially eradicate biofilms and regulate the osteogenic process, providing new solutions to fabricate efficient implant surfaces.

Strontium-polydopamine hybrid coating to improve antibacterial ability and osseointegration of titanium implants

Poor osseointegration and implant-associated infection of titanium implants have prompted their urgent development. Strontium (Sr) is widely recognized to promote osteoblast differentiation and inhibit osteoclast growth. To this end, this study aimed to develop a Sr-containing polydopamine (PDA)-coated implant with practical antibacterial ability and excellent osseointegration ability to meet clinical applications. This hybrid coating used PDA as an adhesion layer and a carrier for Sr ions. The effects of Sr contents on shear bond strength, in vitro stability, antibacterial ability, and in vitro osteogenic activity of the implant were evaluated. The Sr-doped PDA surface was soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) at pH 7.4 or 5.0 for a long time (up to 90 days) to evaluate the in vitro stability. The antimicrobial ability of the hybrid coating against E. coli and S. aureus was examined, while its cellular function was assessed using RAW 264.7 and MG63 cells. The current phase and chemical composition results indicated the presence of Sr ions on the surface of PDA. When Sr was added to PDA, the initial shear strength values were comparable to those of the PDA coating. Soaking time reduced the strength values of Sr-containing coatings, especially for 90 days. However, Sr coating significantly reduced the growth of the two bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, Sr coating had a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the development of RAW 264.7 cells but improved MG63 osteogenesis. In conclusion, 40 % Sr-containing PDA hybrid coating on titanium implants may be a potential implant in terms of in vitro stability, antibacterial ability, and osteogenic activity.

Gas Plasma Treatment Improves Titanium Dental Implant Osseointegration-A Preclinical In Vivo Experimental Study.

Recent technological advancements led to the development of various plasma-based technologies for post-packaging modifications. The purpose of the present preclinical in vivo study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel chairside nonthermal gas plasma treatment for enhancing osseointegration of titanium implants. Six male mixed foxhounds underwent extraction of mandibular premolars and first molars, and the sockets healed for 42 days. Canine mandibles were randomized to receive either plasma-treated (test) or non-plasma-treated (control) dental implants. A total of 36 implants were placed in six animals, and they were sacrificed at 2 weeks (two animals), 4 weeks (two animals), and 6 weeks (two animals) after the implant surgery. When the radiographic analysis was performed, the changes in bone level were not statistically significant between the two groups at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The difference became significant at 6 weeks (p = 0.016), indicating more bone loss from baseline to 6 weeks for the control group. The bone-to-implant contact (BIC) appeared to be higher for the test groups at all time points, and the BIC was significantly higher for the test group at 4 weeks (p = 0.046). In conclusion, this study underscored the potential of nonthermal plasma treatment in enhancing implant osseointegration.

Atomically Resolved Interfacial Analysis of Bone‐Like Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on Titanium

Titanium is commonly used for medical devices, including osseointegrating implants, owing to its biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Nanostructuring titanium implants is known to enhance the healing process by promoting bone growth on the implant surface. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, resembling natural bone mineral, have been used to further improve osseointegration. While previous studies have investigated the osseointegration of titanium implants using atom probe tomography, limited research has focused on the attachment of synthetic hydroxyapatite to titanium. Herein, electron microscopy and atom probe tomography are used to reveal the assembly of synthetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in the titanium oxide surface. By sputter coating with chromium, a suitable matrix is formed for detailed interfacial analysis. The results demonstrate the diffusion of calcium, phosphorus, and carbon from hydroxyapatite nanoparticles into the titanium oxide surface.

Antioxidative and antibacterial gallium (III)-phenolic coating for enhanced osseointegration of titanium implants via pro-osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis

Improving the ability of implants to integrate with natural bone tissue at the initial stage of implantation remains a huge challenge because bone-to-implant interfaces are often accompanied by abnormal microenvironments with infection, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and unbalanced bone homeostasis. In this study, a multifunctional coating was fabricated on the basis of gallium (III)-phenolic networks. It is easily obtained by immersing the implants into a mixed solution of tannic acids (TAs) and gallium ions. The thickness of the coating can be precisely controlled by adjusting the number and time of immersion experiments. The resulting coating displays excellent near-infrared photothermal property. As the coating degrades, TAs and gallium ions with low concentration are released from the coating, which is more rapid in acidic and oxidative stress microenvironments. Photothermal performance as well as released TAs and gallium ions give the coating outstanding broad-spectrum antibacterial ability. Furthermore, the coating effectively reduces intracellular ROS of osteoblasts. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the capability of the coating enhancing implants’ osseointegration via pro-osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The findings imply that gallium (III)-phenolic coating holds great promise to promote implant osseointegration by rescuing abnormal microenvironments of infection, oxidative stress and unbalanced bone homeostasis.

Improvement implant osseointegration through nonthermal Ar/O2 plasma.

This study investigated the effects of nonthermal Ar/O2 plasma on the osseointegration of titanium implants. Through 8 weeks' in vivo evaluation of implants inserted into femoral bones of male Sprague-Dawley rats, the new bone mineralization apposition rate (MAR) is increased by 1.87 and 2.14 times for implants of smooth machined (SM) and sand-blasted and acid-etched (SLA) after plasma treatment. The bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV) and bone-implant contact (BIC) ratios are improved by 1.31, 1.26 times and 1.35, 1.15 times after 90 s plasma treatment. The improved hydrophilicity rather than implant surface morphology is believed to play a critical role for the osseointegration improvement.