Purpose: This study investigated the effects of a strontium-substituted nanohydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) coating, deposited onto porous implant surfaces using an electrochemical process, on implant osseointegration in a rabbit model.
Materials and methods: The surfaces were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), a portable surface roughness tester, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Thirty implants (half HA-coated and half Sr-HA-coated) were inserted into femurs of 15 rabbits. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the femurs were retrieved and prepared for histomorphometric evaluation.
Results: Microscopic examination showed a surface topography of rodlike crystals on both surfaces. XRD and FT-IR showed that the phase of the deposits was HA. No differences were found in surface roughness between the two groups. ICP-AES showed that the Sr/(Ca+Sr) molar ratio of Sr-HA coating was 10.1 mol%. Histologic observation showed that new bone appeared on both surfaces after 2 weeks and became mature after 8 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed no differences between the two groups in bone-to-implant contact at 2 weeks or in bone area within all threads at 2 and 4 weeks. The Sr-HA coated group had significantly higher bone-to-implant contact at 4 and 8 weeks. Significant differences were also found in bone area at 8 weeks.
Conclusion: The present study showed that this Sr-HA coating, deposited using an electrochemical process, has the potential to enhance implant osseointegration.