Physico-chemical properties and healing capacity of potentially bioactive titanium surface

The aim of this study was to evaluate physico-chemical properties and the healing capacity of surface treated titanium. Surface treatment combining sand-blasting, acid etching and alkaline etching (BIO surface) was evaluated together with machined titanium as a reference surface. Hydration, wetting angle, surface area and roughness parameters were evaluated for both surfaces. Stability of dental implants with both surfaces implanted in the tibia of dog was measured during the healing of twelve weeks. BIO surface exhibited lower wetting angle, larger surface area, higher degree of hydration and higher average roughness compared to machined titanium. Implants with the BIO surface maintained their stability during the whole healing period in contrast to those with machined titanium surface, which showed a statistically significant decrease in stability three and nine weeks after implantation.