Bone Response to Plasma-Sprayed Hydroxyapatite and Radiofrequency-Sputtered Calcium Phosphate Implants in Vivo

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency- (RF) sputtered calcium phosphate (CaP) coating of titanium implants on bond strength at the bone-implant interface and percent bone contact length. Materials and Methods: Cylindric sputtered CaP-coated and plasmasprayed hydroxyapatite- (HA) coated implants (4.0 mm diameter and 8 mm length) were implanted in dog mandibles. Half the sputtered CaP-coated implants were heat-treated. Results: Twelve weeks after implant placement, no statistical differences in the mean ultimate interfacial strengths were observed between as-sputtered CaP-coated, sputtered CaP-coated heat-treated, and control plasma-sprayed HAcoated implants. Histomorphometric evaluation indicated that the percent bone contact lengths for the plasma-sprayed HA-coated implants and the as-sputtered CaP-coated implants were similar and significantly greater than that for the sputtered CaP-coated heat-treated implants. Differences in the ultimate interfacial strength and percent bone contact length between different implant sites in the mandible were not observed. Discussion: The results of this study, considered together with the results of previous studies, suggest that once early osseointegration is achieved, biodegradation of the thin CaP coatings is not detrimental to bone-coating-implant fixation, and does not compromise bone responses to the coated implant surfaces. Conclusion: The interfacial strength and histomorphometric data suggest that the CaP coatings applied using the sputtering process produce bone responses similar to those of HA coatings applied using plasma spraying.