Biological and Biomechanical Properties of Chemically Modified SLA Titanium Implants In Vitro and In Vivo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interface shear strength and the responses of osteoblast-like cells to titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface modified by alkali and heat treatments (SLA-AH). The implants with machined and SLA surface served as controls. Each type of implant was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis. In vitro assays were made using human osteoblast-like cell culture on different surfaces. The rectangle plates were also transcortically implanted into the proximal metaphysis of New Zealand White rabbit tibiae. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks implantation, mechanical and histological assessments were performed to evaluate biomechanical and biological behavior in vivo. By SEM examination, SLA surface combined with AH treatments revealed a macro-rough surface with finely microporous structure. The in vitro assays showed that the SLA-AH surfaces exhibited more extensive cell deposition and improved cell proliferation as compared with controls. Pull-out test demonstrated that the SLA-AH treated implants had a higher mechanical strength than the controls at all interval time after implantation. Histologically, the test implants revealed a significantly greater percentage of bone-implant contact when compared with controls. The results of this study suggest that a useful approach by combined processes could optimize implant surfaces for bone deposition and produce distinct biological surface features.