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Updated: May 6, 2026

Rapid Mix Preparation of Bioinspired Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications
Published on: February 23, 2017
Nanoscale osseointegration of zirconia evaluated from the interfacial structure between ceria-stabilized tetragonal
Mari M Saito1, Kazuo Onuma1, Yasuo Yamakoshi1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, 2-1-3 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-8501, Japan.
Background:
The osseointegration of zirconia implants has been evaluated based on their implant fixture bonding with the alveolar bone at the optical microscopic level. Achieving nano-level bonding between zirconia and bone apatite is crucial for superior osseointegration; however, only a few studies have investigated nanoscale bonding. This review outlines zirconia osseointegration, including surface modification, and presents an evaluation of nanoscale zirconia-apatite bonding and its structure.
Highlight:
Assuming osseointegration, the cells produced calcium salts on a ceria-stabilized zirconia substrate. We analyzed the interface between calcium salts and zirconia substrates using transmission electron microscopy and found that 1) the cell-induced calcium salts were bone-like apatite and 2) direct nanoscale bonding was observed between the bone-like apatite and zirconia crystals without any special modifications of the zirconia surface.
Conclusion:
Structural affinity exists between bone apatite and zirconia crystals. Apatite formation can be induced by the zirconia surface. Zirconia bonds directly with apatite, indicating superior osseointegration in vivo.

