In vivo evaluation of speek coated titanium implants for dental applications

Abstract

Titanium is the metal of choice for dental implants because of its biocompatibility and excellent osteointegration. In this study, the effect of the coating of titanium implants with sulphonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) was evaluated by in-vivo studies. The Ti implant samples were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 5 Ti implants were coated with SPEEK while the second group was comprised of uncoated Ti implants which acted as the control group. These implants were implanted into rat tibia and were observed for 3 weeks. The rats were euthanised after 3 weeks, and the implants along with the attached bone were harvested and studied under a microscope. The histologic studies showed evidence of higher inflammatory response in the bone samples of coated implants when compared with the uncoated implants. The higher inflammatory response could be due to the presence of a solvent or a high percentage of sulphonation. Although the results of the study do not support the coating of SPEEK over the implants, further studies are warranted using varying degrees of sulphonation and different solvents.