Bone response to laser-induced micro- and nano-size titanium surface features.
This study explored whether laser-induced, site-specific implant surface modifications with micro- and nano-scale topography were able to promote bone formation. The aim was to evaluate the biomechanical and histological response to partly laser-modified titanium implants in comparison with machined implants. After an early 8-week healing period in rabbit tibia and femur, a 250% increase in removal torque was demonstrated for the partly laser-modified surface. Further, different fracture mechanisms were demonstrated for the two surfaces. Histologically, significantly more bone was found in direct contact with the laser-modified surface for the implants in the tibia sites, and a similar amount of bone tissue was observed in contact with the implant in the femoral sites. In conclusion, an improved bone-implant interface anchorage was promoted by an increase in micro- and nano-scale implant surface topography and surface oxide induced by topological laser treatment.


BACKGROUND
Nanosized grooves in titanium implants markedly improve bone-implant anchorage by increasing the amount of bone formed in direct contact with the metal prosthesis.
Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Rickard
R
Brånemark
Lena
L
Emanuelsson
Anders
A
Palmquist
Peter
P
Thomsen
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010316:Particle Size; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D019415:Torque
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium