IADR Abstract Archives
Selective Laser Melted Ti6Al4V With Graded Porosity for Dental Implants
Objectives: Evaluate the biofunctional properties of selective laser melted (SLM) Ti6Al4V with different pore geometries. The long-term goal is to produce porous titanium alloy dental implants with graded porosity for enhanced bone integration.
Methods: Rods of Ti6Al4V (5 mm x 7 mm) with and without a dense core and with either uniform or graded porosity (300- 650 microns) were produced by SLM and tested for biological and mechanical properties. The potential to support bone in-growth was examined by directly seeding MLO-A5 bone cells on the structures and cell viability, and extracellular matrix deposition were evaluated. To evaluate cell migration, a novel in vitro 3D culture model was developed; the porous Ti6Al4V lattices were inserted into an outer ring of polyurethane (PU) that had been pre-seeded with MLO-A5 bone-forming cells. Titanium samples were maintained in the seeded construct for 42 days. After removal of Ti6Al4V samples from the surrounding PU, Alizarin Red Calcium (ARS) and Sirius Red (SRS) Collagen staining were used to quantify the extracellular bone matrix deposition on the titanium scaffolds. X ylenol orange and confocal microscopy were used to observe mineralised deposition.
Results: The formed Ti6Al4V lattices were duplicated from the CAD models and characterised by interconnected porosity. Compression and three-point bending tests revealed good mechanical properties comparable to bone tissue. All samples were a suitable candidate for growing osteoblast cells and supporting bone formation. Metabolic activity of cells on the implanted titanium after explantation confirmed cell ingrowth. Extracellular matrix deposition within the pores of the implanted samples was confirmed by Xylenol orange, ARS and SRS staining.
Conclusions: Selective laser melted titanium lattices were successfully developed with promising osseintegration properties. Osteoblast-seeded PU scaffolds function as an in vitro 3D culture model for implanting 3D printed porous Ti6Al4V and can be an alternative to or pre-screen prior to in vivo experiments. There is a migration of osteoblasts and deposition of the extracellular matrix into the implanted constructs, indicating that these are promising structures for advanced dental implants for patients with poor osseointegtration.
Methods: Rods of Ti6Al4V (5 mm x 7 mm) with and without a dense core and with either uniform or graded porosity (300- 650 microns) were produced by SLM and tested for biological and mechanical properties. The potential to support bone in-growth was examined by directly seeding MLO-A5 bone cells on the structures and cell viability, and extracellular matrix deposition were evaluated. To evaluate cell migration, a novel in vitro 3D culture model was developed; the porous Ti6Al4V lattices were inserted into an outer ring of polyurethane (PU) that had been pre-seeded with MLO-A5 bone-forming cells. Titanium samples were maintained in the seeded construct for 42 days. After removal of Ti6Al4V samples from the surrounding PU, Alizarin Red Calcium (ARS) and Sirius Red (SRS) Collagen staining were used to quantify the extracellular bone matrix deposition on the titanium scaffolds. X ylenol orange and confocal microscopy were used to observe mineralised deposition.
Results: The formed Ti6Al4V lattices were duplicated from the CAD models and characterised by interconnected porosity. Compression and three-point bending tests revealed good mechanical properties comparable to bone tissue. All samples were a suitable candidate for growing osteoblast cells and supporting bone formation. Metabolic activity of cells on the implanted titanium after explantation confirmed cell ingrowth. Extracellular matrix deposition within the pores of the implanted samples was confirmed by Xylenol orange, ARS and SRS staining.
Conclusions: Selective laser melted titanium lattices were successfully developed with promising osseintegration properties. Osteoblast-seeded PU scaffolds function as an in vitro 3D culture model for implanting 3D printed porous Ti6Al4V and can be an alternative to or pre-screen prior to in vivo experiments. There is a migration of osteoblasts and deposition of the extracellular matrix into the implanted constructs, indicating that these are promising structures for advanced dental implants for patients with poor osseointegtration.