Fredrik Currie

Effect of Hydroxyapatite and Titania Nanostructures on Early In Vivo Bone Response

PURPOSE Hydroxyapatite (HA) or titania nanostructures were applied on smooth titanium implant cylinders. The aim was to investigate whether nano-HA may result in enhanced osseointegration compared to nano-titania structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surface topography evaluation included detailed characterization of nano-size structures present at the implant surface combined with surface roughness parameters at the micro- and nanometer level of resolution. Microstructures were removed from the surface to ensure that bone response observed was dependent only on the nanotopography and/or chemistry of the surface. Early in vivo histological analyses of the bone response (4 weeks) were investigated in a rabbit model. RESULTS In the present study, nano-titania-coated implants showed an increased coverage area and feature density, forming a homogenous layer compared to nano-HA implants. Bone contact values of the nano-titania implants showed a tendency to have a higher percentage as compared to the nano-HA implants (p = .1). CONCLUSION Thus, no evidence of enhanced bone formation to nano-HA-modified implants was observed compared to nano-titania-modified implants. The presence of specific nanostructures dependent on the surface modification exhibiting different size and distribution did modulate in vivo bone response.

Nano Hydroxyapatite-coated Implants Improve Bone Nanomechanical Properties

Nanostructure modification of dental implants has long been sought as a means to improve osseointegration through enhanced biomimicry of host structures. Several methods have been proposed and demonstrated for creating nanotopographic features; here we describe a nanoscale hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implant surface and hypothesize that it will hasten osseointegration and improve its quality relative to that of non-coated implants. Twenty threaded titanium alloy implants, half prepared with a stable HA nanoparticle surface and half grit-blasted, acid-etched, and heat-treated (HT), were inserted into rabbit femurs. Pre-operatively, the implants were morphologically and topographically characterized. After 3 weeks of healing, the samples were retrieved for histomorphometry. The nanomechanical properties of the surrounding bone were evaluated by nanoindentation. While both implants revealed similar bone-to-implant contact, the nanoindentation demonstrated that the tissue quality was significantly enhanced around the HA-coated implants, validating the postulated hypothesis.

Bone reaction to nano hydroxyapatite modified titanium implants placed in a gap-healing model

Nanohydroxyapatite materials show similar chemistry to the bone apatite and depending on the underlying topography and the method of preparation, the nanohydroxyapatite may simulate the specific arrangement of the crystals in bone. Hydroxyapatite (HA) and other CaP materials have been indicated in cases in which the optimal surgical fit is not achievable during surgery, and the HA surface properties may enhance bone filling of the defect area. In this study, very smooth electropolished titanium implants were used as substrata for nano-HA surface modification and as control. One of each implant (control and nano HA) was placed in the rabbit tibia in a surgical site 0.7 mm wider than the implant diameter, resulting in a gap of 0.35 mm on each implant side. Implant stability was ensured by a fixating plate fastened with two side screws. Topographical evaluation performed with an optical interferometer revealed the absence of microstructures on both implants and higher resolution evaluation with AFM showed similar nanoroughness parameters. Surface pores detected on the AFM measurements had similar diameter, depth, and surface porosity (%). Histological evaluation demonstrated similar bone formation for the nano HA and electropolished implants after 4 weeks of healing. These results do not support that nano-HA chemistry and nanotopography will enhance bone formation when placed in a gap-healing model. The very smooth surface may have prevented optimal activity of the material and future studies may evaluate the synergic effects of the surface chemistry, micro, and nanotopography, establishing the optimal parameters for each of them.

The biological response to three different nanostructures applied on smooth implant surfaces

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the biological effects of three calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings with nanostructures on relatively smooth implant surfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS Stable CaP nanoparticle suspensions of different particle sizes and structures were coated onto implants by immersion and subsequent heat treatment. An uncoated implant was used as the control. After topographical and chemical characterizations, implants were randomly inserted into rabbit tibiae for removal torque (RTQ) testing. To confirm the biological reaction, implants were placed in the bilateral femurs of three rabbits. RESULTS The topographical characterization showed that each surface had different nanostructural characteristics and X-ray photon spectroscopy showed various CaP compositions. The control and test groups had different nanotopographies; however, the differences among the test groups were only significant for Surfaces B and C and the rest were insignificant. The RTQ tests showed significantly higher values in two test groups (Surface A and Surface C). Histologically, no adverse effects were seen in any group. Histomorphometrical evaluation showed comparable or better osseointegration along the implant threads in the test groups. CONCLUSION The three different CaP coatings with nanostructures on the implant surfaces had enhancing effects on osseointegration. Along with the surface nanotopography, the CaP chemistry might have influenced the biological outcomes.

Regioselective nitration of phenols and anisols in microemulsion

Abstract A nitration reaction was performed in a cationic surfactant-based microemulsion system with four different aromatic compounds, and the ortho-to-para ratio was examined. The results have been compared with a reference reaction performed in a two-phase system without surfactant and with previous work done with reactions in microemulsions. We report almost selective para-nitration of the chosen compounds when the reactions were performed in the microemulsion. Reaction in a two-phase system gave approximately equal ortho- and para nitration. The difference in reaction rate between the microemulsion system and the two-phase system was examined as well. Using diluted HNO3 the reaction in microemulsion went to completion in 30 min. The two-phase system demanded concentrated HNO3; with dilute HNO3, there was almost no reaction after 24 h. 1H-NMR techniques were used to characterise the microemulsion and to determine the ortho-to-para ratio of the reaction products.

The effect of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals on early bone formation surrounding dental implants

The knowledge of how nanostructures might affect early bone healing and osseointegration is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate if nanometer thick coatings of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals applied on a moderately rough surface might enhance early bone healing on screw-shaped dental implants and to evaluate if the thickness of the coat influences healing. Sandblasted and acid etched titanium implants coated with two different thicknesses of hydroxyapatite (test implants) and sandblasted and acid etched titanium implants (control implants), were inserted in rabbit tibia. After a healing time of 2, 4 and 9 weeks, a removal torque analysis and a histological evaluation were performed. The results from the removal torque analysis showed a tendency for higher values for the double coated hydroxyapatite after 4 weeks and for both the coated surfaces after 9 weeks of healing. The histological evaluations indicated slightly more new bone formation with the coated implants compared with the control; the differences did not reach statistical significance. The present study could not support the importance of nanometer thick coatings of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals in early bone healing, at least not when applied on a blasted and etched surface and placed in a cortical bone.

An in vitro comparison of possibly bioactive titanium implant surfaces

The aim of the study was to compare Ca and P formation (CaP) and subsequent bone cell response of a blasted and four different possibly bioactive commercially pure (cp) titanium surfaces; 1. Fluoride etched (Fluoride), 2. Alkali-heat treated (AH), 3. Magnesium ion incorporated anodized (TiMgO), and 4. Nano HA coated and heat treated (nano HA) in vitro. Furthermore, to evaluate the significance of the SBF formed CaP coat on bone cell response. The surfaces were characterized by Optical Interferometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). CaP formation was evaluated after 12, 24 and 72 h in simulated body fluid (SBF). Primary human mandibular osteoblast-like cells were cultured on the various surfaces subjected to SBF for 72 h. Cellular attachment, differentiation (osteocalcin) and protein production (TGF-beta(1)) was evaluated after 3 h and 10 days respectively. Despite different morphological appearances, the roughness of the differently modified surfaces was similar. The possibly bioactive surfaces gave rise to an earlier CaP formation than the blasted surface, however, after 72 h the blasted surface demonstrated increased CaP formation compared to the possibly bioactive surfaces. Subsequent bone cell attachment was correlated to neither surface roughness nor the amount of formed CaP after SBF treatment. In contrast, osteocalcin and TGF-beta(1) production were largely correlated to the amount of CaP formed on the surfaces. However, bone response (cell attachment, osteocalcin and TGF-F production) on the blasted controls were similar or increased compared to the SBF treated fluoridated, AH and TiMgO surface.

Enhanced bone healing around nanohydroxyapatite-coated polyetheretherketone implants: An experimental study in rabbit bone

Objective To investigate the bone response to threaded polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants coated with nanohydroxyapatite. Materials and methods A total of 39 PEEK implants were coated with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and 39 uncoated implants were used as controls. The implant surface was characterized by optical interferometry and scanning electron microscope. The implants were inserted in the tibia and femur of 13 rabbits. After 6 weeks of healing, quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. Results The test implants showed significantly higher removal torque test values compared with the control group. Histomorphometric evaluation demonstrated higher bone-to-implant contact for the test implants; however, there were no differences in bone area between the groups. Qualitative histological analyses demonstrated inflammatory cellular reactions in close vicinity of both implant surfaces. A two-cell layer of foreign body giant cells was observed irrespective of sample type. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that implants with a threaded design render good stability to PEEK in both coated and uncoated implants. Nanohydroxyapatite-coated PEEK implants demonstrated improved bone formation compared with uncoated controls.

Biomechanical evaluation and surface characterization of a nano-modified surface on PEEK implants: a study in the rabbit tibia.

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is today frequently used as a biomaterial in different medical operations due to its excellent mechanical and chemical properties. However, the untreated surface of PEEK is bioinert and hydrophobic, and it does not osseointegrate in its pure form. The aim of this study was to evaluate a unique nano-modified surface of PEEK with respect to osseointegration. Forty-eight threaded, non-cutting PEEK implants were inserted bilaterally in the tibia of 24 rabbits. Half of the implants (n=24) were coated with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (test) and the remaining implants (n=24) were left uncoated (control). Half of the animals (n=12) were euthanized after 3 weeks of healing and the remaining (n=12) after 12 weeks. The implant retention was measured with a removal torque apparatus. Surface analysis was performed with interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photon spectroscopy to relate the removal torque to the applied surface. The test implants revealed a significantly higher retention after 3 weeks (P=0.05) and 12 weeks (P=0.028) compared to controls. The result of the present study proves that the addition of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite coating to PEEK surfaces significantly increases its removal torque and biocompatibility.

Bromination in microemulsion

Bromination of four different aromatic compounds, two phenols and two anisoles, was performed in a cationic surfactant-based microemulsion using the surfactant counterion, i.e., bromide, as reagent. The bromide ion was oxidized to elemental bromine by dilute nitric acid, which in turn reacts with the aromatic compounds. The results have been compared with two-phase procedures using either an in situ-prepared or a pre-prepared complex between bromine and a quaternary ammonium salt as oxidizing reagent and also with conventional bromination using elemental bromine. We report an easier, safer and more selective para-bromination when the reaction was performed in the microemulsion.