Surface characteristics and osteoblastic cell response of alkali-and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium alloy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biological response of alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium surfaces by cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis.


METHODS
Commercial pure titanium (group cp-Ti) and alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) disks were prepared. The surface properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersed spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface roughness was evaluated by atomic force microscopy and a profilometer. The contact angle and surface energy were also analyzed. The biological response of fetal rat calvarial cells on group AHT was assessed by cell proliferation and ALP activity.


RESULTS
Group AHT showed a flake-like morphology microprofile and dense structure. XPS analysis of group AHT showed an increased amount of oxygen in the basic hydroxyl residue of titanium hydroxide groups compared with group cp-Ti. The surface roughness (Ra) measured by a profilometer showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Group AHT showed a lower contact angle and higher surface energy than group cp-Ti. Cell proliferation on group AHT surfaces was significantly higher than on group cp-Ti surfaces (P<0.05). In comparison to group cp-Ti, group AHT enhanced ALP activity (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that group AHT stimulates osteoblast differentiation.
Department of Periodontology, Dental Research Institute, Chonnam National University School of Dentistry, Gwangju, Korea.
Bo-Ah
BA
Lee
Choong-Hee
CH
Kang
Mong-Sook
MS
Vang
Young-Suk
YS
Jung
Xing Hui
XH
Piao
Ok-Su
OS
Kim
Hyun-Ju
HJ
Chung
Young-Joon
YJ
Kim
Alkaline phosphatase; Cell adhesion; Cell proliferation; Surface properties; Titanium alloy