Cytocompatibility of Plasma Sprayed Bioceramic Coatings

In this paper, the Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, wollastonite, dicalcium silicate and their composite coatings were deposited onto Ti-6Al-4V substrates by an atmosphere plasma spray system. The rat osteoblasts were seeded onto the surface of the coatings to evaluate the growth behavior of osteoblasts on different implant materials. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the morphologies of the osteoblasts seeded on the surface of the coating for different time. The SEM observation indicated the osteoblasts are difficult to survive and proliferate on the Al₂O₃ coating surface. Osteoblasts can survive and proliferate slowly on the TiO₂ and ZrO₂ coating surface. Osteoblasts grow and proliferate very well on the surface of the wollastonite and dicalcium silicate coating, which present the two coatings possess excellent cytocompatibility. The addition of wollastonite and dicalcium silicate into ZrO₂ and TiO₂ can improve their cytocompatibility.