Bioactivity of Calcium Phosphate Ceramic Coatings on Metallic Implants

Calcium phosphate ceramics have been applied intensively to orthopaedic and dental implants by virtue of their osteoconductive nature. In an attempt to enhance the bone implant intergrity and Eta utility, these ceramics are deposited onto the porous surface of metallic implants. The coating procedure and the ensuing phase transformations of the ceramic alter the mechanical properties and surface chemistry of the ceramic layers as well as those of the substrate. These structural and compositional differences are directly related to the interaction mechanisms at the surface-active ceramicbone interface. Material and processing induced influences on dissolution, electrokinetic behavior, ceramic-metallic substrate interface and boRe growth enhancement are presented.