Biological evaluation of bioactive glass coatings obtained by different thermal spray technologies

Bioactive glasses are a quite promising alternative to hydroxyapatite in the development of coatings for biomedical applications. Bioactive glasses can form a direct bond with bone tissue via chemical reactions and exhibit good biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity. The deposition of these coatings can be carried out by a wide range of methods. The aim of the present study is to obtain bioactive glass coatings onto titanium alloy and PEEK substrates by thermal spray techniques. For this purpose different work conditions have been evaluated to achieve adequate coatings. The response of osteoblast?like cells to the coated samples has been evaluated in this study. Also the coated samples were soaked in a simulation body fluid to evaluate their ability to form a calcium phosphate layer in vitro. Cell culture tests show different results for the cases studied. Bioactivity results confirmed the formation of an apatite layer on coated surfaces showing differences in their formation kinetics. Bioactive glass coatings have possibilities to replace conventional hydroxyapatite coatings in order to favor osteointegration of bone implants.