Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and blood cells are rugophilia, to accommodate for the bone growth, but also to
facilitate such cells adhesion and spreading, titanium surfaces need to be textured
to accomplish and show appropriate roughness. Furthermore, gradient functional
concept (GFC) on materials and structures has been receiving special attention
not only in industrial applications, but in dental as well as medical fi elds. Particu-
larly, when such structures and concepts are about to be applied to implants, its
importance becomes more clinically crucial.
For example, the majority of implant mass should be strong and tough, so
that occlusal force can be smoothly transferred from the placed implant to the
receiving hard tissue. However, the surface needs to be engineered to exhibit
some extent of roughness. From such macro-structural changes from bulk core
to the porous case, again the structural integrity should be maintained. The GFC
can also be applied for the purpose of having a chemical (compositional) gradi-
ent. Ca, P-enrichment is not needed in the interior materials of the implants.
Some other modifi cations related to chemical dressing or conditioning can also
be utilized for achieving gradient functionality on chemical alternations on sur-
faces as well as near-surface zones.
To summarize this chapter, the author proposes an ideal implant structure
which is integrated by bioengineering and biomaterials science. Oshida previ-
ously proposed the four important factors and requirements for successful and
biofunctional implant systems: biological compatibility (or, biocompatibility)
mechanical compatibility (or mechanocompatibility), morphological compatibil-
ity, and crystallographic compatibility (or micro-morphological compatibility)
[Oshida, 2000 ].
Figure 5.6 illustrates a schematic and conceptual Ti implant which possesses
a gradual function of mechanical and biological behaviors, so that mechanical
Figure 5.6.
Schematic and conceptual Ti implant with gradient mechanical and biological
functions.
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