Mar 14 2007
When the fluoride modified OsseoSpeed implant was launched in 2004 it was based on solid pre-clinical and clinical documentation and in order to fully understand and utilize the full potential of OsseoSpeed, Astra Tech has continued to search further.
Scientific results from in vitro studies show that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) grown on the OsseoSpeed surface differentiate to a larger extent to osteoblasts. The gene expression further shows that the cells that grow on OsseoSpeed mineralize. Similarly, significantly higher expression of bone formation markers have also been identified in the tissue close to OsseoSpeed implants in vivo, demonstrating that the bone response to this implant surface is favorable and can be identified.
"The original idea for fluoride treatment of titanium wasn't conjured out of the air" says Professor Jan Eirik Ellingsen, University of Oslo, the inventor of the OsseoSpeed surface. He continues:
"It was based on established theories on the reaction between fluoride and titanium and possible biological consequences. Even before we started with these studies, we tried to figure out what mechanisms might be involved. Results from numerous research projects in this area ended up with the OsseoSpeed surface. One important finding is that the fluoride treatment brings about a topographical change at a nanoscale level. When we examine surface characteristics at the usual magnifications, we don't see any difference between the OsseoSpeed surface and the control. But looking at a higher resolution at nanolevel (500 nm) you can see that the surface has a modified topography and nanoscale structures are created. This unique nanoscale topography can only be created through the OsseoSpeed surface modification."
"What we have observed is a physical-chemical effect of the OsseoSpeed surface leading to the improved adsorption of calcium phosphate to the surface. For patients and doctors this means that OsseoSpeed is demonstrated to result in more bone formation, stronger bone integration and faster bone healing" Ellingsen concludes.
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14th March 2007