Abstract:It is generally accepted that a micrometer scale roughness supports the osseointegration of titanium implants. While abrasive technologies can easily be employed to create a micro-topography on titanium surfaces, the preparation of rough ceramic surfaces is more challenging. Typically, abrasive treatments of yttriastabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) surfaces result in rather smooth topographies (R a < 0.6 μm). Furthermore, when this sandblasting process is performed after firing, a transformation of the tetragonal into the monoclinic phase is observed. Exceeding phase transformation may lead to a decreased flexural strength and an increased brittleness -two highly undesirable processes for a ceramic for load bearing applications. In the present study Y-TZP surfaces were sandblasted between the presintering and the final sintering step. Instead of corundum particles, sintered Y-TZP grit was employed for blasting. By varying the particle size and the sandblasting pressure, moderately rough (R a ~ 1.7 μm) and rough (R a ~ 3 μm) Y-TZP surfaces could be prepared. The resulting rough Y-TZP materials were analyzed with respect to their microstructure, flexural strength and 3D surface topography. The results of the subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments reveal a cytocompatibility and a bone-implant contact that is well comparable to the reference material titanium SLA (sandblasted, large grit, acid etched).