Multifunctional Hybrid Material for Endoprosthetic Implants Based on Alumina-Toughened Zirconia Ceramics and Additively Manufactured TiNbTa Alloys.

Aseptic implant loosening after a total joint replacement is partially influenced by material-specific factors when cobalt-chromium alloys are used, including osteolysis induced by wear and corrosion products and stress shielding. Here, we aim to characterize a hybrid material consisting of alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) ceramics and additively manufactured Ti-35Nb-6Ta (TiNbTa) alloys, which are joined by a glass solder. The structure of the joint, the static and fatigue shear strength, the influence of accelerated aging, and the cytotoxicity with human osteoblasts are characterized. Furthermore, the biomechanical properties of the functional demonstrators of a femoral component for total knee replacements are evaluated. The TiNbTa-ATZ specimens showed a homogenous joint with statistically distributed micro-pores and a slight accumulation of Al-rich compounds at the glass solder-TiNbTa interface. Shear strengths of 26.4 ± 4.2 MPa and 38.2 ± 14.4 MPa were achieved for the TiNbTa-ATZ and Ti-ATZ specimens, respectively, and they were not significantly affected by the titanium material used, nor by accelerated aging (p = 0.07). All of the specimens survived 107 cycles of shear loading to 10 MPa. Furthermore, the TiNbTa-ATZ did not impair the proliferation and metabolic activity of the human osteoblasts. Functional demonstrators made of TiNbTa-ATZ provided a maximum bearable extension-flexion moment of 40.7 ± 2.2 Nm. The biomechanical and biological properties of TiNbTa-ATZ demonstrate potential applications for endoprosthetic implants.

Fracture strength of monolithic and glass-soldered ceramic subcomponents of 5-unit fixed dental prosthesis.

PURPOSE: Zirconium dioxide ceramic has been successfully introduced as a framework material for fixed dental prostheses. To reduce manufacturing constraints, joining of subcomponents could be a promising approach to increase the mechanical performance of long-span fixed dental prostheses. In this experimental study, the biomechanical behavior of monolithic and soldered framework specimens for fixed dental prostheses made of Y-TZP was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Framework specimens (n = 80) of 5-unit fixed dental prostheses made of Y-TZP were prepared and divided into 10 equal groups. The specimens were monolithic or composed of subcomponents, which were joined using a silicate-based glass solder. Thereby, three joint geometries (diagonal, vertical with an occlusal cap, and dental attachment-based) were investigated. Moreover, the groups differed based on the mechanical test (static vs. dynamic) and further processing (veneered vs. unveneered). The framework specimens were cemented on alumina-based jaw models, where the canine and second molar were acting as abutments before a point-load was applied. In addition, µCT scans and microscopic fractography were used to evaluate the quality of soldered joints and to determine the causes of fracture. RESULTS: The determined fracture loads of the different unveneered framework specimens in static testing did not vary significantly (p = 1). Adding a veneering layer significantly increased the mechanical strength for monolithic framework specimens from 1196.29 ± 203.79 N to 1606.85 ± 128.49 N (p = 0.008). In case of soldered specimens with a dental attachment-based geometry, the mechanical strength increased from 1159.42 ± 85.65 N to 1249.53 ± 191.55 N (p = 1). Within the dynamic testing, no differences were observed between monolithic and soldered framework specimens. µCT scans and fractography proved that the dental attachment-based joining geometry offers the highest quality. CONCLUSION: Using glass soldering technology, subcomponents of 5-unit framework specimens made of Y-TZP could be joined with mechanical properties comparable to those of monolithic frameworks.

A Novel Technique for the Connection of Ceramic and Titanium Implant Components Using Glass Solder Bonding.

Both titanium and ceramic materials provide specific advantages in dental implant technology. However, some problems, like hypersensitivity reactions, corrosion and mechanical failure, have been reported. Therefore, the combining of both materials to take advantage of their pros, while eliminating their respective cons, would be desirable. Hence, we introduced a new technique to bond titanium and ceramic materials by means of a silica-based glass ceramic solder. Cylindrical compound samples (Ø10 mm × 56 mm) made of alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ), as well as titanium grade 5, were bonded by glass solder on their end faces. As a control, a two-component adhesive glue was utilized. The samples were investigated without further treatment, after 30 and 90 days of storage in distilled water at room temperature, and after aging. All samples were subjected to quasi-static four-point-bending tests. We found that the glass solder bonding provided significantly higher bending strength than adhesive glue bonding. In contrast to the glued samples, the bending strength of the soldered samples remained unaltered by the storage and aging treatments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses confirmed the presence of a stable solder-ceramic interface. Therefore, the glass solder technique represents a promising method for optimizing dental and orthopedic implant bondings.

Surface modifications of dental ceramic implants with different glass solder matrices: in vitro analyses with human primary osteoblasts and epithelial cells.

Ceramic materials show excellent esthetic behavior, along with an absence of hypersensitivity, making them a possible alternative implant material in dental surgery. However, their surface properties enable only limited osseointegration compared to titanium implants. Within this study, a novel surface coating technique for enhanced osseointegration was investigated biologically and mechanically. Specimens of tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) and aluminum toughened zirconia (ATZ) were modified with glass solder matrices in two configurations which mainly consisted of SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, and Na2O. The influence on human osteoblastic and epithelial cell viability was examined by means of a WST-1 assay as well as live/dead staining. A C1CP-ELISA was carried out to verify procollagen type I production. Uncoated/sandblasted ceramic specimens and sandblasted titanium surfaces were investigated as a reference. Furthermore, mechanical investigations of bilaterally coated pellets were conducted with respect to surface roughness and adhesive strength of the different coatings. These tests could demonstrate a mechanically stable implant coating with glass solder matrices. The coated ceramic specimens show enhanced osteoblastic and partly epithelial viability and matrix production compared to the titanium control. Hence, the new glass solder matrix coating could improve bone cell growth as a prerequisite for enhanced osseointegration of ceramic implants.

New Coating Technique of Ceramic Implants with Different Glass Solder Matrices for Improved Osseointegration-Mechanical Investigations.

Ceramics are a very popular material in dental implant technology due to their tribological properties, their biocompatibility and their esthetic appearance. However, their natural surface structure lacks the ability of proper osseointegration, which constitutes a crucial process for the stability and, thus, the functionality of a bone implant. We investigated the application of a glass solder matrix in three configurations-consisting mainly of SiO2, Al2O3, K2O and Na2O to TZP-A ceramic specimens. The corresponding adhesive strength and surface roughness of the coatings on ceramic specimens have been analyzed. Thereby, high adhesive strength (70.3 ± 7.9 MPa) was found for the three different coatings. The obtained roughness (Rz) amounted to 18.24 ± 2.48 µm in average, with significant differences between the glass solder configurations. Furthermore, one configuration was also tested after additional etching which did not lead to significant increase of surface roughness (19.37 ± 1.04 µm) or adhesive strength (57.2 ± 5.8 MPa). In conclusion, coating with glass solder matrix seems to be a promising surface modification technique that may enable direct insertion of ceramic implants in dental and orthopaedic surgery.