Biocompatibility of Lotus‐type Stainless Steel and Titanium in Alveolar Bone

Abstract

Abstract Lotus‐type porous stainless steel (SUS304L) and porous titanium were fabricated by unidirectional solidification in a mixture gas of hydrogen and argon. The porous metals which were cut into 5 mm cubes (non‐dehydrogenated) and 3.4 mm ϕ × 5 mm cylinders (dehydrogenated) were implanted into the canine mandible alveolar bone for two, four and eight weeks for animal experiments. The changes in the tissues were observed using SEM. For porous stainless steel (cylindrical; dehydrogenated) new formation of bones was observed around the sample in two weeks without any sign of bony ingrowth into the pores. The osteogenesis was found in shallow areas in the pores in four weeks and deep in the pores in eight weeks. Porous titanium, on the other hand, showed deep ingrowth of new bones in four weeks. Our observations allowed us to expect application of the porous metals as biomaterials. They maintain mechanical strength and are lighter in weight so that it is expected to be applied for dental implants and core materials of artificial bones.