Mg-corrosion, hydroxyapatite, and bone healing.

The different capacities of magnesium in the metallic form (Mg-metal) and magnesium oxide (MgO) to stimulate bone healing are possible clues in the search for products that may promote bone healing. Since both Mg-metal and MgO can be assumed to release comparable amounts of Mg ions during their reactions in the tissue where they have been implanted, it is of some importance to follow this process and analyze the resulting mineral formation in the tissue at the implantation site. Implants of MgO were inserted into rat tibia, and the bone healing was compared with sham-operated controls.

Mineralization at Titanium Surfaces is a Two-Step Process.

Mapping the initial reaction of implants with blood or cell culture medium is important for the understanding of the healing process in bone. In the present study, the formation of low crystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) onto commercially pure titanium (Ti) implants from cell culture medium and blood, is described as an early event in bone healing at implants. The Ti-implants were incubated with cell culture medium (DMEM) or whole blood and the surface concentration of Ca, P and HA was analyzed by XPS, EDX and Tof-SIMS.

Enhancing the bioactivity of zirconia and zirconia composites by surface modification.

Among bioceramics, zirconia (ZrO(2)) and alumina (Al(2)O(3)) possess exceptional mechanical properties suitable for load-bearing and wear-resistant applications but the poor bioactivity of these materials is the major concern when bonding and integration to the living bone are desired. This article investigates two different approaches and their underlying mechanisms to improve the bioactivity of zirconia (3Y-TZP) and a zirconia composite with alumina (10Ce-TZP/Al(2)O(3)). Chemical treatment approach applied on 3Y-TZP where the substrates were soaked in 5M H(3)PO(4) to create chemically functional groups on the surface for inducing apatite nucleation.