Initial tissue response to a titanium implant coated with apatite at room temperature using a blast coating method

We previously reported a blast coating method (BC method) as a new coating method of titanium (Ti) with apatite (AP) at room temperature. The BC method gives much stronger AP coating on the Ti surface compared with those obtained by other room temperature coating methods. However, no in vivo study has been made, so far, to evaluate the stability or the tissue response to the implant. As an initial step to evaluate the feasibility of the BC method, we evaluated the tissue response and stability of AP coated Ti implant prepared with the BC method (AP–BC implant) using rats as experimental animals. The AP coating adhered tightly to the Ti surface even after the implant procedure and throughout the experimental period up to six weeks post operation. AP–BC implant caused no inflammatory response, showed strong bone response and much better osteoconductivity compared with the pure Ti implant. The new bone formed on the surface of AP–BC implants was thinner compared with that formed on the surface of Ti implant. Therefore, the AP–BC implant has a good potential as an osteoconductive implant material.