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An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Physicochemical study of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-coated implants in humans
D E MacDonald1, F Betts, M Stranick
1Langmuir Center for Colloids and Interfaces, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA. dem14@columbia.edu
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|June 28, 2001
Summary
This study analyzed retrieved hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium implants, revealing progressive coating loss and chemical changes over time. These findings highlight material degradation as a key factor in implant performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium implants are widely used in dental applications.
- Understanding the long-term stability and changes in HA coatings is crucial for predicting implant success.
- Previous studies have lacked comprehensive analysis of retrieved human implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical and chemical alterations of HA coatings on retrieved human dental implants.
- To correlate coating changes with implantation time and clinical stages.
- To identify the degradation mechanisms of HA coatings in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 53 retrieved HA-coated titanium implants staged by implantation history.
- Surface and bulk characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Comparison with unimplanted control samples.
Main Results:
- Progressive thinning of HA coating observed with increased implantation time, with bare titanium detected in later stages.
- Significant changes in HA coating composition, including dissolution of non-apatitic phases and decreased Ca/P ratios.
- Alterations in HA crystal size and evidence of bone accumulation (protein and carbonate-apatite) on retrieved coatings.
Conclusions:
- HA coatings undergo significant physical and chemical changes, including material loss and transformation, during implantation.
- These changes in the HA coating are more pronounced than biointegration with surrounding bone.
- The degradation and chemical alteration of HA coatings are critical factors influencing the long-term performance of dental implants.
