Effect of titanium carbide coating by ion plating plasma-assisted deposition on osteoblast response: A chemical, morphological and gene expression investigation

To improve osteoblast proliferation and implant integration, we have optimized a protocol to treat any kind of implant, based on the Ion Plated Plasma Assisted (IPPA) deposition of a well-controlled TiO(x)-TiC(y)-C nanostructured layer.

Titanium is among the most used materials for the production of medical and dental prostheses because of its specific weight, mechanical performances, cost and biocompatibility. Unfortunately the implant may release titanium particles, thus reducing, in the long term, the integrative properties of a titanium prosthesis, producing inflammation, osteolysis and mobilization. To overcome this problem, several coating procedures of titanium implants have been proposed.