Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies

Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications due to their excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their limited osteointegration and susceptibility to bacterial infections remain major clinical challenges. Recent advancement...

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Main Authors: Handong Zhang, Zidong Wu, Zemin Wang, Xinfeng Yan, Xudong Duan, Huaqiang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1549439/full
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author Handong Zhang
Zidong Wu
Zemin Wang
Xinfeng Yan
Xudong Duan
Huaqiang Sun
author_facet Handong Zhang
Zidong Wu
Zemin Wang
Xinfeng Yan
Xudong Duan
Huaqiang Sun
author_sort Handong Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications due to their excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their limited osteointegration and susceptibility to bacterial infections remain major clinical challenges. Recent advancements in surface modification techniques have significantly improved the osteogenic and antibacterial properties of Ti implants. This review summarizes key strategies, including ion doping, hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings, nanostructured surfaces, and graphene-based modifications. Zinc (Zn)-doped coatings increase osteoblast proliferation by 25%, enhance cell adhesion by 40%, and inhibit Staphylococcus aureus by 24%. Magnesium (Mg)-doped Ti surfaces enhance osteoblast differentiation, with 38% increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a 4.5-fold increase in cell proliferation. Copper (Cu)-doped coatings achieve 99.45% antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and 98.65% against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Zn-substituted HAp promotes mineralized nodule formation by 4.5-fold and exhibits 16.25% bacterial inhibition against E. coli. Graphene-based coatings stimulate bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and provide light-responsive surface potentials for enhanced osteogenesis. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in optimizing ion release kinetics and long-term stability. Future research should focus on multi-functional coatings that integrate osteogenic, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory properties to enhance clinical performance and patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-da5d272db82e40adbf3aea1e54e32ce22025-08-20T03:49:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-03-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15494391549439Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategiesHandong Zhang0Zidong Wu1Zemin Wang2Xinfeng Yan3Xudong Duan4Huaqiang Sun5Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaShandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaShandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaShandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaShandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, ChinaTitanium (Ti) implants are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications due to their excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their limited osteointegration and susceptibility to bacterial infections remain major clinical challenges. Recent advancements in surface modification techniques have significantly improved the osteogenic and antibacterial properties of Ti implants. This review summarizes key strategies, including ion doping, hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings, nanostructured surfaces, and graphene-based modifications. Zinc (Zn)-doped coatings increase osteoblast proliferation by 25%, enhance cell adhesion by 40%, and inhibit Staphylococcus aureus by 24%. Magnesium (Mg)-doped Ti surfaces enhance osteoblast differentiation, with 38% increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a 4.5-fold increase in cell proliferation. Copper (Cu)-doped coatings achieve 99.45% antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and 98.65% against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Zn-substituted HAp promotes mineralized nodule formation by 4.5-fold and exhibits 16.25% bacterial inhibition against E. coli. Graphene-based coatings stimulate bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and provide light-responsive surface potentials for enhanced osteogenesis. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in optimizing ion release kinetics and long-term stability. Future research should focus on multi-functional coatings that integrate osteogenic, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory properties to enhance clinical performance and patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1549439/fulltitaniumbiomechanicalsurface modificationosteointegrationantibacterialmacrophage polarization
spellingShingle Handong Zhang
Zidong Wu
Zemin Wang
Xinfeng Yan
Xudong Duan
Huaqiang Sun
Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
titanium
biomechanical
surface modification
osteointegration
antibacterial
macrophage polarization
title Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
title_full Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
title_fullStr Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
title_full_unstemmed Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
title_short Advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants: a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
title_sort advanced surface modification techniques for titanium implants a review of osteogenic and antibacterial strategies
topic titanium
biomechanical
surface modification
osteointegration
antibacterial
macrophage polarization
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1549439/full
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AT zeminwang advancedsurfacemodificationtechniquesfortitaniumimplantsareviewofosteogenicandantibacterialstrategies
AT xinfengyan advancedsurfacemodificationtechniquesfortitaniumimplantsareviewofosteogenicandantibacterialstrategies
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