Effect of Plasma-Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coating on the Osteoconductivity of Commercially Pure Titanium Implants

Formation of a calcium phosphate layer was studied on the surfaces of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (PSHA) and sandblasted commercially pure (cp) titanium in simulated body fluid with ion concentrations similar to those of human blood plasma. The PSHA surface induced the formation of calcium phosphate surface layers, while the precipitation of calcium phosphate on sandblasted cp titanium was not detected. Histologic evaluation of in vivo tests demonstrated that implants with a PSHA coating enabled the growth of bone tissue into gaps with a depth of up to 1 mm without significant formation of intermediate fibrous tissue. In comparison to sandblasted cp titanium, implants with PSHA coating exhibited greater tolerance to unfavorable conditions during healing, such as gaps at the interface or primary instability of the implant. In the case of good primary stability of the implant, filling of the gap with fibrous tissue was observed for sandblasted cp titanium implants over the greater part of the surface of gaps with a depth of 0.3 mm. Direct contact of cp titanium implants with bone was achieved only when the press-fit implantation model was used. Keywords: calcium phosphates, hydroxyapatite, osteoconduction, titanium, wound healing