| abstract |
The present inventionprovides materials and methods for preparing nanotubes made of titanium dioxide as coating for osseointegrated biomedical prostheses, in particular for dental implants. Such coatings, made with electrochemical and chemical methods, have the purpose of promoting osteointegration of endosseous implants. n In particular, the invention concerns a method for preparing an implant device made of titanium or alloys thereof, comprising the following steps: na) subjecting said implant device made of titanium or alloys thereof to an anodizing process, in water or in an organic solvent containing an amount of water lower than 25% by volume, so as to form a layer of nanotubes made of titanium dioxide on said implant device; nb) processing said implant device at a temperature higher than 450°C or higher than 500°C for a period of time sufficient to transform said titanium dioxide into its anatase allotropic crystalline form; nc) loading said nanotubes made of titanium dioxide in anatase allotropic crystalline form with ions of a substance having antimicrobial activity. n The invention also describes an implant device, specifically a dental implant screw, able to be obtained with the method of the invention. |