Effects of storage methods on time-related changes of titanium surface properties and cellular response

Biomed Mater. 2012 Oct;7(5):055002. doi: 10.1088/1748-6041/7/5/055002. Epub 2012 Jul 11.

Abstract

Titanium implants are sold in the market as storable medical devices. All the implants have a certain shelf life during which they maintain their sterility, but variations of the surface properties through this duration have not been subject to a comprehensive assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of storage methods on time-related changes of titanium surface properties. Acid-etched titanium discs (Sa = 0.82 µm) were placed in a sealed container (tradition method) or submerged in the ddH(2)O/NaCl solution (0.15 mol L(-1))/CaCl(2) solution (0.15 mol L(-1)), and new titanium discs were used as a control group. SEM and optical profiler showed that surface morphology and roughness did not change within different groups, but the XPS analysis confirmed that the surface chemistry altered by different storage protocols as the storage duration increased, and the contact angle also varied with storage methods. The storage method also affected the protein adsorption capacity and cellular response on the titanium surface. All titanium discs stored in the solution maintained their excellent bioactivity even after four weeks storage time, but titanium discs stored in a traditional manner decreased substantially in an age-dependent manner. Much effort is needed to improve the storage methods in order to maintain the bioactivity of a titanium dental implant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Etching, Dental
  • Adsorption
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Shape
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Dental Implants
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / enzymology
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Prostheses and Implants*
  • Proteins
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors
  • Titanium*

Substances

  • Dental Implants
  • Proteins
  • Titanium
  • Alkaline Phosphatase