An innovative technique of casting the titanium implant alloys and its calcium phosphate coating using centrifugal casting method was proposed in the current study. This one-step, self-coating technique results in formation of functionally graded biomaterials (FGBMs) of calcium phosphate/Titanium alloys. Two groups of samples (Group 1 and Group 2) were prepared utilizing self-coated titanium‑niobium (Ti-6Al-7Nb) and titanium- vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloys respectively. The cast samples were then prepared for in-vitro cytocompatibility evaluation, in-vivo systemic toxicity and osseointegration evaluation. Cytocompatibility was examined in-vitro on human bone osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2). In-vivo surgical implantation of the samples in the mandible of the experimental dogs was correspondingly implemented. Tests for systemic toxicity, X-ray images, Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and histopathological analysis were obtained for each dog's mandible sample. In-vitro cytocompatibility studies revealed high cytocompatibility of Group 2 in comparison to Group 1. In-vivo results proved safety of Group 2 as regards to systemic toxicity. On the other hand, results of the X-ray images, DEXA and histopathological analysis revealed comparable osseointegration potential of both groups. These results suggest the use of Group2-FGBMs in dental implant manufacturing and prove that FGBMs prepared by centrifugal casting as self-coated implants have good biocompatibility and osseointegration capability.
Keywords: Casting; Cell viability-MTT cytotoxicity; Functionally graded biomaterials; Titanium dental implants.
Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.