Cytocompatibility of thermally oxidized Ti-Ag alloys

Kim, Ho Joong; Oh, Keun Taek; Ee, Zi Whan; Kim, Kyoung Nam; Han, Dong Hoo

Abstract

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: In its preceding work, change in surface characteristics were investigated in consideration that both microtopograpy and macroscopic configuration of implants surface are two of the most important factors, in that they can construct agreeable environment by raising surface energy, to affect osseointegration and biocompatibility explained by cell proliferation. PURPOSE: This study focused on examining cytocompatibility of dental implants materials Ti-Ag alloys, of which mechanical and electrochemical superiority to cp-Ti or Ti6Al4V were verified, in comparison with that of cp-Ti, and Ti6Al4V. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this regard, MTT tests for L-929, the fibroblast connective tissues and cell proliferation tests for osteoprogenitor cells, MC3T3-E1 were performed on cp-Ti, Ti6Al4V, and Ti-Ag alloys following thermal oxidation according to appropriate heat treatment temperature(untreated, 400, 600, 800degrees C) and heat treatment duration(untreated, 0.5, 1, 4 hr). RESULTS: The MTT tests on fibroblasts L-929 resulted in cell viability of over 90% in all experimental group entities, where, especially, the 100% of the viability for Ti-Ag alloys specimens accounted for the slightest adverse effect of ions release from those alloys on the cell. In MC3T3-E1 proliferation tests, the population of cells in the experimental group was roughly increased as experimentation proceeded, after two to four days. Proliferation showed highest viability for most of specimens, including Ti2.0Ag, treated at 600degrees C. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is the heat treatment temperature, not the duration that has considerable effects on thermal oxidation of specimens. Ti-Ag alloys treated at 600degrees C proved to have the best surface morphology as well as cytocompatibility when compared with Ti or Ti6Al4V for short-term biocompatibility tests.