[An experimental study of Zn/Ca/P-containing coatings on titanium implant surface modified by plasma electrolytic...

Objective: To explore the osteogenic activity of Zn/Ca/P-containing coatings on titanium implant surface modified by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). Methods: Three groups implants including Zn/Ca/P-containing surface treated by PEO in experimental groups and Ca/P-containing and TiO(2) sandblasted surface in control group were randomly inserted in the bilateral mandibular of rabbits. Mechanical testing and implant-bone interface observation were performed at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after implantion. Results: Zn/Ca/P-containing coating presented a microporous structure. The push-out value indicated the statistical differences among the three groups at each observed time point (P<0.05), and implant-bone bonding power reached a maximum value at 12 weeks, those in the Zn/Ca/P-containing group [(1.57±0.26) MPa] was higher than those in the group with sandblasted surface [(0.83±0.24) MPa] (P<0.05). Histological examination and implant-bone interface observation using field scaning electron microscope (FSEM) showed that the new bone of implant-bone interface increased with healing time and the result from Zn/Ca/P-containing group was superior to that from the control groups at each observed time point. Conclusions: Zn/Ca/P-containing coatings by PEO can accelerate bone formation and remodeling, and enhance bone-implant bonding force.