title: Characterization of the surface properties of commercially available dental implants using scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since osseointegration of the respective implant is claimed by all manufacturing companies, it is obvious that not just one specific surface profile including the chemistry controls bone apposition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to identify and separate out a particular set of surface features of the implant surfaces that can contribute as factors in the osseointegration process.
  
  
  METHODS
  The surface properties of several commercially available dental implants were extensively studied using profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Ultrathin sections prepared with focused ion beam microscopy (FIB) provided microstructural and chemical data which have not previously been communicated. The implants were the Nobel Biocare TiUnite (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden), Nobel Biocare Steri-Oss HA-coated (Nobel Biocare AB, Yorba Linda, CA, USA), Astra-Tech OsseoSpeed (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden), Straumann SLA (Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland), and the Brånemark Integration Original Fixture implant (Brånemark Integration, Göteborg, Sweden).
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that their surface properties had differences. The surfaces were covered with crystalline TiO(2) (both anatase and rutile), amorphous titanium oxide, phosphorus doped amorphous titanium oxide, fluorine, titanium hydride, and hydroxyapatite, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This indicates that the provision of osseointegration is not exclusively linked to a particular set of surface features if the implant surface character is a major factor in that process. The studied methodology provides an effective tool to also analyze the interface between implant and surrounding bone. This would be a natural next step in understanding the ultrastructure of the interface between bone and implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden. tobias.jarmar@doxa.se
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jarmar
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmquist
authors.forename: Rickard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brånemark
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hermansson
authors.forename: Håkån
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engqvist
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomsen
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005461:Fluorine / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; C009495:titanium dioxide; D005461:Fluorine; D017886:Durapatite; D014025:Titanium