Chemical Surface Modifications of Titanium Implants

Summary: In the present work, various surface modifications have been applied to titanium surface. The aim of the modifications was to improve cell adhesion and to determine their influence on the properties of titanium surface. The unmodified and modified surfaces were observed using SEM. Subtle changes in modified surface layer of titanium samples were examined using the Auger Electron Microanalysis and Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The properties of surfaces were evaluated by contact angle and roughness measurements. The results revealed large differences in morphology of Ti modified with different procedures whereas only minor differences in the chemistry of the surfaces were detected. Preliminary quantitative measurements (cell number, viability and differentiation) of the MG 63 osteoblast-like cells in the direct contact with the surface of the investigated materials show that both the not pre-treated titanium surface and the surfaces modified by the methods used in the this work are all well tolerated by the living cells. Within the experimental scatter all the surfaces provided good substrate for proliferation and growth of the cells.