Osteogenic potential of laser modified and conditioned titanium zirconium surfaces

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The osseointegration of dental implant is related to their composition and surface treatment. Titanium zirconium (TiZr) has been introduced as an alternative to the commercially pure titanium and its alloys as dental implant material, which is attributed to its superior mechanical and biological properties. Surface treatments of TiZr have been introduced to enhance their osseointegration ability; however, reliable, easy to use surface modification technique has not been established. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser surface treatment of TiZr implant alloy on their osteogenic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty disc-shaped samples of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm height were milled from the TiZr alloy ingot. The polished discs were ultrasonically cleaned in distilled water. Ten samples each were randomly selected as Group A control samples and Group B consisted of Nd-YAG laser surface etched and conditioned test samples. These were evaluated for cellular response. Cellular adhesion and proliferation were quantified, and the results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric analysis. Cellular morphology was observed using electron and epiflurosence microscopy. RESULTS: Nd-YAG laser surface modified and conditioned TiZr samples increased the osteogenic potential. CONCLUSION: Nd-YAG laser surface modification of TiZr, improves the cellular activity, surface roughness, and wettability, thereby increasing the osteogenic potential.