Biomechanical evaluation of amorphous calcium phosphate coated TNTZ implants prepared using a radiofrequency magnetron sputtering system

Ti29Nb13Ta4.6Zr alloy (TNTZ), a new β-type Ti alloy, has excellent advantages as a biomaterial, such as low Young's modulus and cytotoxicity, and the absence of allergens. However, it is unclear whether TNTZ can achieve sufficient osseointegration for it to be used as a dental implant. The effectiveness of surface modification of TNTZ implants by radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering is also unclear. We investigated the biomechanical behaviors of TNTZ implants in vivo, using cylindrical implants of four types: pure Ti, TNTZ, and pure Ti and TNTZ coated with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). The implants were inserted in rat femurs, and the femurs were subjected to biomechanical analyses after various time intervals. The results suggest that TNTZ implants can achieve osseointegration similar to that of pure Ti, and that surface modification with ACP by RF magnetron sputtering improves osseointegration, especially in the later stages of healing.