Bone tissue, cellular, and molecular responses to titanium implants treated by anodic spark deposition

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Osseointegration is crucial for dental and orthopedic implants.
• Titanium (Ti) surface modifications aim to accelerate bone healing.
• Anodic spark deposition (ASD-AK) is a surface treatment for Ti implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the osseointegration of acid-etched (AE) and ASD-AK treated Ti implants.
• To perform histomorphometric, cellular, and molecular analyses of bone tissue around implants.
• To compare the effects of AE and ASD-AK surface treatments on bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Ti implants (AE and ASD-AK) were placed in dog mandibles.
• Implants were retrieved at 3 and 8 weeks for analysis.
• Histomorphometry, gene expression, cell proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed.

Main Results:

• Both AE and ASD-AK implants achieved osseointegration.
• AE implants showed higher bone-to-implant contact.
• ASD-AK surfaces demonstrated increased gene expression of osteoblast markers.
• Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher on AE surfaces.

Conclusions:

• ASD-AK treated Ti implants support in vivo osseointegration.
• ASD-AK surface treatment enhances osteoblast gene expression.
• ASD-AK is a potential surface modification for clinical implant applications.