Porous titanium for biomedical applications: an experimental study on rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to carry out an in vivo assessment of bone ingrowth in two different types of porous titanium -the first being completely porous, and the second with a porous surface and dense nucleus, manufactured by powder metallurgy- and to evaluate their mechanical properties.


METHODS
Ten scaffolds from each group were submitted to metallographic analysis and compression tests. Next, two scaffolds of each type were inserted into 14 rabbits, which were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. The samples were submitted for histological examination.


RESULTS
Metallographic analysis revealed interconnected pores, and the average interconnected pore diameter was about 360 mm, with 36% total porosity. The totally porous titanium samples and the titanium samples with porous surface and dense nucleus showed an average compressive strength of 16.19 MPa and 69.27 MPa, respectively. After 8 weeks, the animals showed bone ingrowth, even into the most internal pores.


CONCLUSIONS
The pore morphology was effective in permitting bone ingrowth in both groups. Titanium scaffolds with a porous surface and dense nucleus showed the best mechanical properties and most adequate interface.
de Vasconcellos
Luana-Marotta-Reis
LM
Department of Bioscience and Buccal Diagnosis, São Jose dos Campos School of Dentistry, State University of São Paulo, São José dos Campos, Brazil. luanamrv@itelefonica.com.br
Leite
Daniel-de Oliveira
DD
Nascimento
Fernanda-Oliveira
FO
de Vasconcellos
Luis-Gustavo-Oliveira
LG
Graça
Mário-Lima-de Alencastro
ML
Carvalho
Yasmin-Rodarte
YR
Cairo
Carlos-Alberto-Alves
CA
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D008422:Materials Testing; D016348:Osseointegration; D011817:Rabbits; D014025:Titanium
D014025:Titanium