Accelerated bone formation on photo-induced hydrophilic titanium implants: an experimental study in the dog mandible

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of photo-induced hydrophilic titanium dioxide (TiO2) on serum fibronectin (sFN) attachment, and further to evaluate initial osseointegration responses in the dog mandibles. Materials and methods: To apply the anatase TiO2 film, plasma source ion implantation (PSII) method followed by annealing was employed for the titanium disks and implants, which were then illuminated with UV-A for 24h for the experimental groups. Non-deposited titanium disks and implants were prepared for the control group. Surface characterization was performed using the interferometer and contact angle analyzer. The attachments of sFN were evaluated using fluorescence emission analysis. Thereafter both groups of implants were placed in the mandible of six beagle dogs. Bone response was investigated with histological and histomorphometrical analyses after periods of 2 and 4weeks. Results: The experimental groups exhibited strong hydrophilicity under UV-A illumination and showed significant improvement in sFN attachment. And further, the experimental implants enhanced the bone formation with the bone-to-implant contact of 42.7% after 2weeks of healing (control: 28.4%). Conclusions: The combined applications of plasma fibronectin and PSII to produce hydrophilic titanium surfaces could accelerate early osseointegration.