The Importance of Surface Treatment in Implants

The book uses real-world surgical cases to reveal the impact of implant surface treatment on therapeutic results.Analyzing the key factors of surface roughness and biocompatibility of the material, it helps patients and doctors understand the importance of the choice of implant, thereby helping to avoid the risk of a second operation.

Why does the skin of the implant determine the success of the operation?

Many patients are unaware that the tiny structures on the surface of the implant, which are not visible to the naked eye, directly determine whether the bone will grow firmly around the implant and whether it will cause inflammation.Last year, a patient who had a knee replacement suffered repeated infections, which were eventually traced to bacteria that had accumulated in an uneven coating on the implant.

Surface treatment is a hidden hurdle.

The first hurdle is roughness. If the surface of a titanium alloy joint is too smooth, it is like an ice rink, and the bone cells cannot "stand." The second hurdle is biological activity. Some coatings may look fancy, but they are actually inferior to ordinary materials that have been sandblasted and acid-etched. The third hurdle is sterilization.

From infection to loosening.

Statistics from a top-three hospital in Shandong Province show that 37 % of revision surgeries are due to problems with the coating.

The acetabular cup becomes loose too early: The porous structure is uneven, so the area where bone can grow in is not large enough.

- Spinal rod fracture: The anodic oxidation layer was too thick, causing the metal to become brittle.

* Periodontitis around the implant: The residual heat-affected zone after laser etching becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

Three keys to picking the right technology.

1. Ask to see electron microscope photographs provided by the manufacturer. Look carefully at the transition between the edge of the diamond and the setting.

2. Prioritize technical routes with at least five years of clinical followup data.

3. Be wary of the claims of "miracle coatings." Different parts of the house require different methods of waterproofing.

A new direction for future technological development.

Some hospitals are now beginning to experiment with 3D-printed structures with a gradient of holes. These structures provide initial stability, while leaving space for bone growth.A team of orthopedic surgeons in Guangzhou developed a biomimetic mineralized coating that speeds up the rate of bone healing by 40 % within three months after surgery. This kind of innovative technology is rewriting the rules for surgical success.