Method: Acid etched titanium implant that was 4 mm of length and 1 mm of diameter and titanium mesh products were used in this study. The materials were autoclaved and stored under dark ambient conditions for 4 weeks. UV treatment was performed by a combination of UVA and UVC for 15 min. A vertical bone augmentation model using the implant and mesh was created in rat femur bone by placing 2 mm of the 4 mm implant. The titanium mesh covered upper side of the implant that was exposed outside of femur. The samples were taken 12 or 24 days after surgery. Bone formation between the implant and mesh and the osteointegration were evaluated.
Result:Bone volume between the photofunctionalized implant and mesh was significantly higher than the untreated on 12 and 24 day after surgery. The newly formed bone in photofunctionalized group completely filled the space that was surrounded by the implant and mesh, whereas the space was not filled with the new bone in untreated group. The mechanical strength analysis showed the connection between the implant and mesh in photofunctionalized group was 2-times greater than that in untreated group.
Conclusion: The results from in vivo studies collectively demonstrated that UV photofunctionalization of titanium mesh is effective in enhancing its osteoconductivity of both the implant and mesh, which resulted in the increased bone formation that could fill the space between titanium materials.