Understanding and augmenting the stability of therapeutic nanotubes on anodized titanium implants

Abstract

Titanium is an ideal material choice for orthopaedic and dental implants, and hence a significant amount of research has been focused towards augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of titanium surfaces. More recently the focus has shifted to nano-engineered implants fabricated via anodization to generate self-ordered nanotubular structures composed of titania (TiO). These structures (titania nanotubes/TNTs) enable local drug delivery and tailorable cellular modulation towards achieving desirable effects like enhanced osseointegration and antibacterial action. However, the mechanical stability of such modifications is often ignored and remains underexplored, and any delamination or breakage in the TNTs modification can initiate toxicity and lead to severe immuno-inflammatory reactions. This review details and critically evaluates the progress made in relation to this aspect of TNT based implants, with a focus on understanding the interface between TNTs and the implant surface, treatments aimed at augmenting mechanical stability and strategies for advanced mechanical testing within the bone micro-environment ex vivo and in vivo. This review article extends the existing knowledge in this domain of TNTs implant technology and will enable improved understanding of the underlying parameters that contribute towards mechanically robust nano-engineered implants that can withstand the forces associated with implant surgical placement and the load bearing experienced at the bone/implant interface.

Modifications of Dental Implant Surfaces at the Micro- and Nano-Level for Enhanced Osseointegration

“…Anodic oxidation is extended to the modification of a Ti dental implant at the nanoscale (1-100 nm). The electric current of the electrochemical cell, temperature, the pH values of electrolyte solutions, the electrolytes, oxidation voltage, and oxidation time affect the nanotopographies of the Ti surface [43,44]. In an electrochemical cell composed of Ti at the anode and platinum (or Ti) at the cathode, the TiO 2 layer is normally formed on the Ti implant surface of the anode [43].…”

“…The electric current of the electrochemical cell, temperature, the pH values of electrolyte solutions, the electrolytes, oxidation voltage, and oxidation time affect the nanotopographies of the Ti surface [43,44]. In an electrochemical cell composed of Ti at the anode and platinum (or Ti) at the cathode, the TiO 2 layer is normally formed on the Ti implant surface of the anode [43]. In an appropriate fluoride-based electrolyte, the nano-morphology of the TiO 2 layer is changed, and the aligned TiO 2 nanotube layer is developed ( Figure 2) [43].…”

3D Printing and Digital Processing Techniques in Dentistry: A Review of Literature

“…Recently, a significant amount of research has been focused on augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of titanium surfaces . Titanium (Ti) is widely used as a biomedical material in plastic surgery and dental applications due to its high corrosion resistance, low density, extraordinary mechanical properties, and satisfactory biocompatibility .…”

Biological Effects of Anodic Oxidation on Titanium Miniscrews: An In Vitro Study on Human Cells

“…[1]). While it is known that titanium is an ideal material for orthopedic and dental implants, a significant amount of research has been focused on augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of titanium surfaces [2,3].…”

“…Among these procedures is the recently introduced anodic oxidation, which is obtained by immersion of the titanium in an electrolyte solution and by the application of high current voltage [4,5]. Upon anodic oxidation, the titanium surface is covered by a TiO 2 layer [4,5], organized in self-ordered nanotubular structures [2] vertically oriented on the titanium surface with a closed bottom and open top [6]. Notably, the greater the applied current voltage, the thicker and more rough the TiO 2 layer will be [7].…”