In vivo evaluation of bone-bonding of titanium metal chemically treated with a hydrogen peroxide solution containing tantalum chloride

Apatite formation on implants is important in achieving a direct bonding to bone tissue. We recently showed that titanium metal chemically treated with a hydrogen peroxide solution containing tantalum chloride has the ability to form a hydroxyapatite layer in simulated body fluid which had inorganic ion composition similar to human blood plasma. In this study, a pure titanium cylinder (4.0 mm in diameter. 20.0 mm in length) treated with this method was implanted into a hole (4.2 mm in diameter) in a rabbit's tibia. After implantation for predetermined periods up to 16 weeks. the specimens were extracted with bone tissue, and were examined by push-out test to evaluate the shearing force between the implant and bone tissue. The results were compared with those of non-treated pure titanium. Eight weeks after surgery. the shearing force of the treated titanium implanted in the 4.2 mm-hole was significantly higher than that of non-treated titanium. although the surface roughness was not changed after the treatment. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation and energy-dispersive X-my (EDX) microanalysis showed that the bone comes very close to the surface of the treated titanium. Moreover, the shearing force was higher for the implanted sample in the 4.0 mm-hole than that in the 4.2 mm-hole. Thus. it is confirmed that the treatment with hydrogen peroxide solution containing tantalum chloride provides higher bonding ability on titanium implants in vivo. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.