ABSTRACT
Replacement of missing or diseased hard tissues (teeth and bones) has become a common procedure in medicine and dentistry. Materials employed in the manufacture of orthopedic and dental implants include metals and metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites (e.g., metal/metal, ceramic/ceramic, metal/ceramic, ceramic/polymer) (Ratner et al., 2004). The different metals and metal alloys employed in the commercial manufacture of orthopedic and dental implants include cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloy, stainless steel, commercially pure titanium (cpTi), Ti alloy (Ti6Al4V), tantalum (Black, 1994; Christie, 2002; Ratner et al., 2004; Williams, 1981). CpTi and Ti alloys have become the metals of choice, especially for dental implants, because of their desirable properties that include corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, strength, and the presence of a reactive Ti
CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 301 Implant Surfaces-Basics ...........................................................................................................303 Basic Research Methods for Implant Surface Evaluation .....................................................304
