ABSTRACT Introduction: Surface treatment is an important technique to increase adhesion between implants and bones, improving its mechanical characteristics and consequently the patient’s comfort. Objectives: Ni-Cr alloys were the object of study in this work, with the purpose of analyzing and evaluating the effect of thin films deposition of titanium nitride via plasma, on its surface and comparing with cathodic cage (CC) and hollow cathode (HC) methods, for dental applications. Methods: Eighteen samples were prepared and the experiment was conducted in two steps: the pre-sputtering (1h, 350 °C, gases: Ar and H) and sputtering (4h, 450 °C, gases: Ar, Ni, and H). To characterize and compare the samples with those of reference, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Vickers Microhardness and wettability tests were used. Results: The results presented by SEM showed that during the surface treatment using CC, voids were formed, and using HC, the samples showed a more homogenous behavior. In microhardness tests, using a 25gf load, it was possible to observe that the HC method allowed an increase of 87% when compared to the reference and treated samples. Significance: Lastly, it can be concluded that both methods are suitable for Ni-Cr alloy surface treatment, and the HC technique, a method already used by dental professionals, presents better results due to the formation of a thicker film layer.

Abstract Titanium and its alloys are widely used as implant materials and many studies to accelerate the osseointegration have been performed. This work aims to evaluate the formation of a bioactive surface in commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) grade 4 after alkali (AT) and heat treatments at 600 °C (AHT600) and 900 °C (AHT900). Characterization techniques were SEM, AFM, Raman, TF-XRD, wettability, nanoindentation and indentation adhesion. Additionally, SBF soaking tests were performed to evaluate apatite growth and showed that alkali and heat treatment accelerates apatite growth. The AT samples formed sodium hydrogen titanate (1 µm thick), and AHT600 and AHT900 formed sodium titanate (1 µm thick), while rutile TiO2 increased with temperature, reaching up to 5 µm thick and the surface changed from slightly hydrophilic to fully hydrophilic. Roughness and surface area increased, especially in AHT900. The hardness of the surface layer was significantly increased by the heat treatment.

Resumo O filme de carbono semelhante a diamante (DLC) é um material de revestimento duro e biocompatível que pode impedir a corrosão com liberação de íons metálicos. Este estudo avaliou as características estruturais do filme de DLC, com e sem nanopartículas de prata (Ag), depositadas por plasma (PECVD) em liga de titânio (Ti-6Al-4V) e formação óssea em contato com filmes de DLC. Foram utilizadas 60 amostras de Ti-6Al-4V divididas em: não recobertas, recobertas com DLC e recobertas com DLC-Ag. Após caracterização estrutural, amostras foram fixadas bilateralmente na mandíbula de coelhos. Após 15 e 90 dias, as amostras foram novamente caracterizadas e a formação óssea na área foi analisada por histomorfometria. A análise estatística foi realizada por ANOVA dois fatores. Ambos os filmes DLC e DLC-Ag foram firmemente aderidos e mostraram uma alta resistência elétrica sem alterações significativas no espectro Raman após a osseointegração in vivo. Após 15 dias, havia trabéculas ósseas imaturas na interface e cobrindo parcialmente a superfície. Após 90 dias, o osso maduro preencheu a interface e a superfície. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os três grupos nos dois períodos. Em conclusão, a osseointegração com DLC, DLC-Ag e Ti-6Al-4V não revestido é similar. No entanto, os revestimentos DLC e DLC-Ag têm a vantagem do isolamento elétrico e podem presumivelmente controlar a atividade bacteriana e a corrosão com liberação de íons.

Abstract Diamond-like carbon (DLC) film is a biocompatible hard coating material that can prevent the leaching of metal ions. This study evaluates the structural characteristics of DLC, with and without silver nanoparticles, deposited by plasma (PECVD) on titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and bone formation in contact with DLC films. Sixty Ti-6Al-4V samples were used divided in: uncoated, coated with DLC and coated with DLC-Ag. After structural characterization, samples were fixed bilaterally at the rabbit's mandible. After 15 and 90 days, samples were characterized again and bone formation in the area was analyzed by histomorphometry. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA. Both the DLC and DLC-Ag films were firmly adhered and showed a high electrical resistance without significant changes in the Raman spectrum after in vivo integration. After 15 days, there were immature bone trabeculae in the interface and partially covering the surface. After 90 days, mature bone filled the interface and coved the surface. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in both periods. In conclusion, osseointegration with DLC, DLC-Ag and uncoated Ti-6Al-4V is similar. However, DLC and DLC-Ag coverings have the advantage of electrical insulation and can presumably control bacterial activity and ion leaching.

Abstract Introduction Various works have shown that diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are able to improve the cells adhesion on prosthesis material and also cause protection against the physical wear. On the other hand there are reports about the effect of substrate polishing, in evidence of that roughness can enhance cell adhesion. In order to compare and quantify the joint effects of both factors, i.e, polishing and DLC coating, a commonly prosthesis material, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, was used as raw material for substrates in our studies of macrophage cell adhesion rate on rough and polished samples, coated and uncoated with DLC. Methods The films were produced by PECVD technique on Ti-6Al-4V substrates and characterized by optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The amount of cells was measured by particle analysis in IMAGE J software. Cytotoxicity tests were also carried out to infer the biocompatibility of the samples. Results The results showed that higher the surface roughness of the alloy, higher are the cells fixing on the samples surface, moreover group of samples with DLC favored the cell adhesion more than their respective uncoated groups. The cytotoxity tests confirmed that all samples were biocompatible independently of being polished or coated with DLC. Conclusion From the observed results, it was found that the rougher substrate coated with DLC showed a higher cell adhesion than the polished samples, either coated or uncoated with the film. It is concluded that the roughness of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy and the DLC coating act complementary to enhance cell adhesion.