Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Although titanium and titanium alloys are the materials most often used in dental implants, mainly due to mechanical properties and biocompatibility, ceramics are becoming very attractive as new materials for this area. Zirconia seems to be a suitable dental implant material once it can overcome the main drawbacks of titanium implants like metallic coloration, corrosion and in some cases the cause of allergies. Zirconia seems also be more biocompatibility and avoids some problems found in titanium implants like autoimmunity and cellular sensitization and due to continuous scientific research, ceramic�s mechanical strength is improving, becoming more feasible for dental implants. Like titanium, zirconia does not stimulate bone regeneration around the implant, due to its bioinertness. In this context, this work is focused in the development of zirconia substrates doped with hydroxyapatite (HA) in order to promote earlier and stronger fixation. The substrates were prepared with laser CO2 laser to create cavities, where HA was then introduced, being afterwards sintered by the action of the same laser. This technique brings a huge advantage in materials processing, once by controlling the laser path; velocity and power it is possible to obtain cavities (patterning/machining) and also sinter different materials over the surface and cavities (selective laser sintering/melting). Results showed that the cavities, roughness and laser power influence the adhesion and degradation of HA.

Biography

Email: oscar.carvalho@dem.uminho.pt