The effect of hydrofluoric acid treatment on titanium implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats

This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment of grit-blasted Ti implants on osseointegration in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. After blasting with aluminium oxide particles, half implants were treated with 0.2 vol.% HF, and the other half were kept non-modified as control. The topographical and chemical changes of implant surface were determined by Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscope, and X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy. 12 Weeks after bilateral ovariectomy, each rat accepted two implants in distal femora, with the control implant on the left and the fluoride-modified on the right. As a result, fluoride modification induced markedly changed surface topography and chemical composition. 12 Weeks after implant insertion, the fluoride-modified implants showed improved osseointegration compared to control, with the bone area ratio and bone-to-implant contact increased by 0.9- and 1.4-fold in histomorphometry, the bone volume ratio and percent osseointegration by 0.8- and 1.3-fold in micro-CT evaluation, and the maximal push-out force and ultimate shear strength by 1.2- and 2.0-fold in biomechanical test. These promising results indicated that HF treatment of Ti surface improved implant osseointegration in OVX rats, and suggested the feasibility of using fluoride modification to improve Ti implant osseointegration in osteoporotic bone.