The propose of this review was to summarize the advances in multi-scale surface technology of titanium implants to accelerate the osseointegration process. The several multi-scaled methods used for improving wettability, roughness, and bioactivity of implant surfaces are reviewed. In addition, macro-scale methods (e.g., 3D printing (3DP) and laser surface texturing (LST)), micro-scale (e.g., grit-blasting, acid-etching, and Sand-blasted, Large-grit, and Acid-etching (SLA)) and nano-scale methods (e.g., plasma-spraying and anodization) are also discussed, and these surfaces are known to have favorable properties in clinical applications. Functionalized coatings with organic and non-organic loadings suggest good prospects for the future of modern biotechnology. Nevertheless, because of high cost and low clinical validation, these partial coatings have not been commercially available so far. A large number of in vitro and in vivo investigations are necessary in order to obtain in-depth exploration about the efficiency of functional implant surfaces. The prospective titanium implants should possess the optimum chemistry, bionic characteristics, and standardized modern topographies to achieve rapid osseointegration.

Ti and Ti alloys have charming comprehensive properties (high specific strength, strong corrosion resistance, and excellent biocompatibility) that make them the ideal choice in orthopedic and dental applications, especially in the particular fabrication of orthopedic and dental implants. However, these alloys present some shortcomings, specifically elastic modulus, wear, corrosion, and biological performance. Beta-titanium (β-Ti) alloys have been studied as low elastic modulus and low toxic or non-toxic elements. The present work summarizes the improvements of the properties systematically (elastic modulus, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, antibacterial property, and bone regeneration) for β-Ti alloys via surface modification to address these shortcomings. Additionally, the shortcomings and prospects of the present research are put forward. β-Ti alloys have potential regarding implants in biomedical fields.

Titanium and its alloys are among the widely used materials in the biomedical field, but they have poor wear resistance and antibacterial properties

TiAl alloys possess excellent properties, such as low density, high specific strength, high elastic modulus, and high-temperature creep resistance, which allows their use to replace Ni-based superalloys in some high-temperature applications. In this work, the traditional TiAl alloy Ti-48Al-2Nb-2Cr (Ti4822) was alloyed with additional Nb and fabricated using laser metal deposition (LMD), and the impacts of this additional Nb on the microstructure and mechanical and tribological properties of the as-fabricated alloys were investigated. The resulting alloys mainly consisted of the γ phase, trace β₀ and α₂ phases. Nb was well distributed throughout the alloys, while Cr segregation resulted in the residual β₀ phase. Increasing the amount of Nb content increased the amount of the γ phase and reduced the amount of the β₀ phase. The alloy Ti4822-2Nb exhibited a room-temperature (RT) fracture strength under a tensile of 568 ± 7.8 MPa, which was nearly 100 MPa higher than that of the Ti4822-1Nb alloy. A further increase in Nb to an additional 4 at.% Nb had little effect on the fracture strength. Both the friction coefficient and the wear rate increased with the increasing Nb content. The wear mechanisms for all samples were abrasive wear with local plastic deformation and oxidative wear, resulting in the formation of metal oxide particles.

Background: Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are potential metal materials in dental and orthopedic applications, due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Despite these properties, revision surgery is painful for millions of patients and may cause secondary injury, calling for a solution to this issue. Compared to antibiotics used in a clinical context, novel biomaterials display powerful application potential due to their stronger antibacterial activity, reduced drug resistance and excellent biocompatibility. Antibacterial ions have a crucial effect, particularly for nanostructured metals. Objective: This review focuses on the antibacterial functions and osteogenic properties of surface modification based on Ag, Zn, Cu and other nonmetallic ions. Methods: The first part of the review briefly describes the issues with bacterial infection of Ti implants. The methods of surface modification are then introduced in detail. Lastly, other strategies used to improve antibacterial and osteogenic properties are also provided. Conclusion: Although anti-infective research is valuable, there is still a gap present between theoretical strategies and those that are clinically implemented strategies. There is an urgent need to transform the findings of research into clinical applications.