Influence of surface modifications of a nanostructured implant on osseointegration capacity – preliminary in vivo study

In response to the need for implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility a new type of nanostructured Ti6Al7Nb implants for osseous tissue regeneration have been fabricated. The nanostructured cylindrical implants were manufactured in accordance with 3D CAD data using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) method. Implants were subjected to chemical polishing using a mixture of nitric acid and fluoride (test group) as well as cleaned in distilled water and isopropyl alcohol (control group). The structural and morphological properties of the obtained samples were determined by using XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) techniques. The particle size was verified and calculated by Rietveld method to be in the range of 25–90 nm. In the present study, experimental in vivo tests concerning implants fabricated from a nanostructured Ti6Al7Nb alloy, which may substitute bone tissue, were discussed in detail. The control group and test group were used in the study. The animal model was New Zealand rabbit. The implants were implanted into skull fornix and observed after 1, 2 and 3 months. The results of macroscopic and microscopic analysis proved better osseointegration of chemically modified implants.