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
