Effect of thin carbonate-containing apatite (CA) coating of titanium fiber mesh on trabecular bone response

The influence of thin carbonate-containing apatite (CA) coating on trabecular bone response to cylindrical titanium fiber mesh (porosity of 85%, pore size of 200–300 μm, 2.8 mm diameter × 6 mm length) implants was investigated. Thin CA coatings were deposited by the so-called molecular precursor method. Molecular precursor solution was obtained by adding dibutylammonium diphosphate salt to Ca–EDTA/amine ethanol solution by adjusting Ca/P = 1.67. Sintered cylindrical titanium fiber mesh was immersed into molecular precursor solution and then tempered at 600 °C for 2 h. The immersion and tempering process was repeated three times. An adherent thin CA film could be deposited on the inside of titanium fiber mesh. After the immersion of a CA-coated titanium fiber mesh in simulated body fluid, apatite crystals precipitated on the titanium fiber mesh. Uncoated and CA-coated titanium fiber mesh was inserted into the trabecular bone of the left and right femoral condyles of rabbits. Histological and histomorphometrical evaluation revealed a significantly greater amount of bone formation inside the porous area of the CA-coated titanium fiber mesh after 12 weeks of implantation. The present results suggested that a thin CA-coated titanium mesh has better osteoconductivity and will be useful for a three-dimensional scaffold.