Accelerated bone ingrowth by local delivery of strontium from surface functionalized titanium implants

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Research
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Systemic strontium (Sr) administration can improve bone quality but carries adverse effects.
• Osseointegrating implants benefit from enhanced bone formation and quality.
• Local delivery of strontium from implant surfaces offers a safer alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a surface modification for sustained local strontium release from implants.
• To assess the biocompatibility and efficacy of strontium-releasing coatings.
• To investigate the impact on bone-to-implant contact and peri-implant bone volume.

Main Methods:

• Magnetron co-sputtering technique to create four strontium-releasing surface modification groups.
• In vitro analysis of coating composition, morphology, mechanical stability, and strontium release profiles.
• In vitro assessment of mesenchymal stem cell cytotoxicity and proliferation.
• In vivo rodent study evaluating bone-to-implant contact and bone volume.

Main Results:

• No cytotoxic effects or inhibition of cellular proliferation observed.
• Several strontium-releasing surface modifications significantly increased direct bone-to-implant contact and peri-implant bone volume compared to titanium controls.
• The best performing group showed median bone-to-implant contact of 19% and new bone formation of 53%.

Conclusions:

• The developed surface modification method enables sustained local strontium release from implants.
• This strontium-eluting surface technology is biocompatible and promotes significant osseointegration.
• The findings suggest promising applications in orthopedic and dental implant industries.