Researchers in China have developed a new surface treatment for titanium alloys that improves its biocompatibility for dental and orthopedic implants.

These before and after photos show the change in bone adhesion from the new surface treatment. (Photo: sciencedirect.com)

Titanium is one of the most widely used materials for medical implants, but it has poor bioactivity, which means that bone tissue doesn't respond strongly and bond firmly with the implants.

To address this problem, researchers from Anhui University of Science and Technology used a mechanical surface attrition treatment to modify the surface of titanium implants.

According to their in-vitro research, which was published in the journal Materials Science and Engineering, the modified surface significantly enhances the response of osteoblasts, the cells that grow new bone tissue. This greatly improve the biocompatibility of titanium.

The research provides a promising means for improving the design of future titanium-based implants.