Effect of Hafnium Coating on Osseointegration of Titanium Implants: A Split Mouth Animal Study

Abstract

The behaviour of hafnium as surface coating in biological environments has not been studied. Little is known about osseointegration of hafnium-coated titanium implants. Thus, further studies of hafnium coating under biological conditions are required in order to determine the suitability of this material, as a surface coating for biomedical application. The aim of the study is to analyse the difference between hafnium-coated titanium and uncoated titanium by evaluating the osseointegration ability of hafnium metal and mechanism of which promotes better bone integration. The study was conducted with a split mouth design on 16 Wistar Albino rats of both sexes, at the age of 6-7 months, weighing 2526.5 ± 74.4 g . Self-tapping titanium osteosynthesis screws ( 4 mm × 2 mm ) (LeForte System Bone Screw®) were implanted in the mandible of rats: Group A (pure titanium screws, n = 12 ) and Group B (hafnium-coated screws, n = 12 ). The implanted screws’ stability was checked and noted with a specially customised torque apparatus during insertion and removal of implant. The tissue sections were then processed for hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome for bone and connective tissue examination, after 4 and 8 weeks of placement. Hafnium coating appears to have offered similar biocompatibility (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatine kinase (CK) enzyme assay), statistically significant improvement (independent Student’s t -test, p < 0.05 ) in insertion torque ( 25.42 ± 3.965 ) and removal torque ( 29.17 ± 2.887 ) than commercially pure titanium with insertion torque ( 22.08 ± .575 ) and removal torque ( 25.42 ± 2.575 ). Hafnium coating in the rat mandible showed promising osseointegration with good tissue biocompatibility. Further human trials of hafnium-coated implants are needed to understand the biological behaviour better to enhance clinical performance.

Influence of Hafnium Addition on the Microstructure, Microhardness and Corrosion Resistance of Ti20Ta20Nb20(ZrMo)20−xHfx (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 at.%) High Entropy Alloys

“…However, with increasing knowledge about the biocompatible properties of pure hafnium, it was confirmed that Hf exhibits a high level of corrosion resistance and good tribocorrosion and biocompatibility [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Moreover, to our knowledge, Hf-containing titanium-based alloys are also widely used as medical implants [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Mechanism of Action of Clove and Ginger Herbal Formulation-Mediated TiO2 Nanoparticles Against Lactobacillus Species: An In Vitro Study

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Maxillofacial Reconstruction With Three Dimensional Resin Bone Substitutes as an Alternative to Transition Group of Metals: A Structured Review

“…In recent years, unique and innovative technologies have enabled the production of controlled architecture grafts. Various studies have been done time and again to experiment on the coating of implants [ 10 , 11 ], bone substitutes, etc. Studies show promising results for alloplastic substitutes as successful bone substitutes for enhanced regenerative properties.…”