Micro-CT evaluation of in vivo osteogenesis at implants processed by wire-type electric discharge machining

Titanium surfaces processed by wire-type electric discharge machining (EDM) are microfabricated surfaces with an irregular morphology, and they exhibited excellent in vitro bone biocompatibility. In this study, the efficiency of in vivo osteogenesis on EDM surfaces was investigated by surgically placing screw-shaped EDM-processed and machined-surface implants into the femurs of four Japanese white rabbits. The volume and process of new bone formation were evaluated by an X-ray micro-CT scanner, coupled with histopathological observations at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-implantation. Before surgical implantation, the surface topography and contact angle of each implant surface were examined. Bone formation increased over time on both implant surfaces, with both implant types yielding statistically equivalent bone volume at 4 weeks post-implementation. However, at 1 week post-implantation, amount of new bone at EDM-processed implant was markedly greater than that at machined-surface implant. Moreover, new bone appeared to initiate directly from the EDM surfaces, while new bone appeared to generate from pre-existing host bone to the machined surfaces. Thus, EDM seemed to be a promising method for surface modification of titanium implants to support enhanced osteogenesis.