SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY STUDIES OF CERAMIC LAYERS AND INTERFACIAL REGIONS FOR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE-COATED TITANIUM DENTAL IMPLANTS

The surface and cross-section characteristics of the plasma-sprayed ca lcium phosphate coatings, along with the microstructures and elemental compositions near the titanium alloy interface, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy for two different dental implants of prop rietary compositions: Integral(R) (Calcitek) and Bio-Vent(R) (Dentsply ). Elemental concentrations (Ca, P, Ti, Al, and V) near the interfaces were obtained by X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Coating surfac es exhibited a splat deposition topography of greatly differing micros tructural scale for the two implants, along with other features charac teristic of the plasma-spraying process; cross-sections of the coating s revealed minimal porosity. Some interdiffusion of principally titani um and calcium was found within a narrow region near the ceramic-metal interface, perhaps contributing to chemical bonding.