Surface structure for intraosseous implant

Abstract

The intraosseous implant intended to be fitted in a bone is provided on the surface with a specific roughness, the implant surface having depressions ( ) with a depth (c) of about 20 &mgr;m to about 60 &mgr;m. At the bottom of the depressions ( ) there are base faces ( ), and between the depressions ( ) there are plateau faces ( ). Base faces ( ) and plateau faces ( ) have a horizontal extent (a, b) of about 10 &mgr;m to about 20 &mgr;m. These depressions ( ) are ideally as smooth as possible, i.e. they have no surface roughness below the cellular dimension. Obliquely ascending side faces ( ) extend from the base faces ( ) to the plateau faces ( ), and the angle of inclination (&agr;) between the horizontal and the side faces ( ) is about 30° maximum. Below the upper neck portion, the implant has a self-tapping thread, and the neck portion of the implant is provided with a porcelain-like coating. The surface energy and surface tension of the implant are kept as low as possible. Materials which can preferably be used for the implants are titanium, titanium-based alloys or porcelain-like substances. The surface structure results in an implant which, while providing sound immediate postoperative primary stability, is also distinguished by an accelerated and increased load-bearing capacity on account of more intensive osseointegration.