Nanostructured Dental Implant Surface via Temperature-Controlled Etching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental implants made of binary titanium-zirconium alloy require a long maturation time for nanostructures to form on their surface, delaying the achievement of optimal topography for improved fibrin network formation and osseointegration.
Innovation Solution
A process involving sandblasting, acid etching, and treatment in an aqueous solution at controlled temperature and pH for a short duration to rapidly form nanostructures on the implant surface, creating a favorable topography for protein adherence and cell mineralization, which can be integrated into existing workflows without compromising sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dental implants made of binary titanium-zirconium alloy are stored at room temperature to form nanostructures, then the nanostructures eventually form, but the maturation time required is 6 months or even longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the storage temperature from room temperature to 37°C (body temperature) to accelerate the maturation process. This temperature parameter change reduces the maturation time from 6 months or longer to a significantly shorter period while maintaining the desired nanostructure formation on the binary titanium-zirconium alloy surface.
2Strength
If the implant surface is left untreated, then the material's superior mechanical properties are preserved, but the surface topography is not optimized for fibrin network formation and osseointegration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming nanostructures on the implant surface through controlled storage at 37°C before implantation. This preliminary surface treatment optimizes the topography for fibrin network formation and enhances osseointegration potential, while the underlying material maintains its superior mechanical properties from the binary titanium-zirconium alloy composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process accelerates the formation of nanostructures on binary titanium-zirconium alloy surfaces to less than one month, enhancing protein adherence, blood coagulation, and osseointegration, thereby reducing the time needed for the implant to achieve optimal surface properties.
Implementation Method 1
etching the sandblasted bone-contacting surface
Implementation Method 2
treating the sandblasted and etched bone-contacting surface with an aqueous solution for a duration of more than two days, during which nanostructures continuously grow on the bone-contacting surface
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the bone-contacting surface of the dental implant to a sandblasting treatment
Implementation Method 4
the aqueous solution having a pH value ranging from 3 to 7... enhancing protein adherence
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a topography for improved fibrin network formation and cell mineralization on at least a portion of a dental implant made of a binary titanium-zirconium alloy, said portion being destined to be embedded in a patient's jawbone and to be in contact with the jawbone via a bone-contacting surface, the process comprising the subsequent steps of a) subjecting the bone-contacting surface of the dental implant to a sandblasting treatment, b) etching the sandblasted bone-contacting surface, and c) treating the sandblasted and etched bone- contacting surface with water or an aqueous solution for a duration of more than two days, during which nanostructures continuously grow on the bone-contacting surface, said nanostructures extending in at least two dimensions to 200 nm at most. The process is characterized in that the treatment of b) is carried out at a temperature from 40 °C to 60 °C.