Functional Coatings for Titanium Dental Implants: Differences and Similarities

Although dental implants have been used since ancient times, there is a continuing need to improve characteristics to ensure their long-term integration into the jaw.¹ Current trends in dental implant research are focused on surface properties modification by biomimetic and bioactive coatings that mimic architecture of the human bone and biosurrounding.^2-4

Therefore, the titanium dental implant was functionalized by two different molecules, Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and Alendronate sodium (Fosamax®T). D3 vitamin and Alendronate were chosen due to their known positive influences on human organism, especially on the bone-system. The aim of functionalization was (i) to improve anti-corrosion properties of the implant and simultaneously (ii) make implant´s surface potentially more bioactive (to promote and accelerate osseointegration). An integrated experimental-theoretical approach was applied to study coating´s formation mechanism, wetting properties and corrosion behaviour in an artificial saliva solution (during 7 days). In general, the results indicate improved surface properties of the implant after functionalization and are in a direct corelation with chemical nature and structure of coating molecules.

References:

1. C. Hu et al., Biomaterials 219 (2019) 119366.

2. H. Elsayed et al., Materials 11 (2018) 2234.

3. J. Katić et al., Coatings 9 (2019) 612.

4. Ž. Petrović et al., Materials 13 (2020) 3220.

5. https://www.authoritydental.org/titanium-vs-zirconia-tooth-implants