Research Progress on the Biochemical Modification of Titanium Implant Surface

Nowadays, artificial implants, a third denture of human, can maximize the chewing efficiency of patients with missing teeth, delay the absorption of alveolar bone and improve the quality of life. Osseointegration of the interface between the bone and implants, introduced first by Branemark et al. [1,2], is the most determining factor in oral clinical implant applications. As the main material in dental implant, titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been widely used, because of their excellent biophysical properties including high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, low module of elasticity, and biocompatibility. However, the osseointegration and osteoconductive properties of Ti based implants are essentially limited. In addition, Ti based implants encounter specific complications associated with its incorporation and stability at the host interface, because of limited cell adhesion and the implants susceptibility to bacterial infections [3]. Hence, recent researches have been focused on improving surface treatments to promote osseointegration and osteoconductive properties of Ti based implants.