Titanium dioxide nanotubes enhance bone bonding in vivo

Abstract

Implant topography is critical to the clinical success of bone-anchored implants, yet little is known how nano-modified implant topography affects osseointegration. We investigate the in vivo bone bonding of two titanium implant surfaces: titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotubes and TiO₂ gritblasted surfaces. In previous in vitro studies, the topography of the TiO₂ nanotubes improved osteoblast proliferation and adhesion compared with gritblasted titanium surfaces. After four weeks of implantation in rabbit tibias, pull-out testing indicated that TiO₂ nanotubes significantly improved bone bonding strength by as much as nine-fold compared with TiO₂ gritblasted surfaces. Histological analysis confirmed greater bone-implant contact area, new bone formation, and calcium and phosphorus levels on the nanotube surfaces. It is anticipated that further studies will contribute to a better understanding of the effect of implant nanotopography on in vivo bone formation and bonding strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010