Osseointegration of 3D-printed titanium implants with surface and structure modifications

Background: The purpose of this study was to establish a mechanical and histological basis for the development of biocompatible maxillofacial reconstruction implants by combining 3D-printed porous titanium structures and surface treatment. Improved osseointegration of 3D-printed titanium implants for reconstruction of maxillofacial segmental bone defect could be advantageous in not only quick osseointegration into the bone tissue but also in stabilizing the reconstruction.Methods: Various macro-mesh titanium scaffolds were fabricated by 3D-printing. Human mesenchymal stem cells were used for cell attachment and proliferation assays. Osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction ana- lysis. The osseointegration rate was measured using micro computed tomography imaging and histological analysis.Results: In three dimensional-printed scaffold, globular microparticle shape was observed regardless of structure or surface modification. Cell attachment and proliferation rates increased according to the internal mesh structure and surface modification. However, osteogenic differentiation in vitro and osseointegration in vivo revealed that non-mesh structure/non-surface modified scaffolds showed the most appropriate treatment effect.

Automated summary

This study establishes a mechanical and histological basis for the development of biocompatible maxillofacial reconstruction implants by combining 3D-printed porous titanium structures and surface treatment. The results show that the internal mesh structure and surface modification of titanium scaffolds can improve cell attachment and proliferation rates, but have different effects on in vitro osteogenic differentiation and in vivo osseointegration, with non-mesh structure/non-surface modified scaffolds showing the most appropriate treatment effect.