• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2009

Statement of problem: Recently precalcification treatment has been studied to shorten the period of the implant. Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of precalcification treatment of $TiO_2$ Nanotube formed on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy. Material and methods: Specimens of $20{\times}10{\times}2\;mm$ in dimensions were polished sequentially from #220 to #1000 SiC paper, ultrasonically washed with acetone and distilled water for 5 min, and dried in an oven at $50^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The nanotubular layer was processed by electrochemical anodic oxidation in electrolytes containing 0.5 M $Na_2SO_4$ and 1.0 wt% NaF. Anodization was carried out using a regulated DC power supply (Kwangduck FA, Korea) at a potential of 20 V and current density of $30\;㎃/cm_2$ for 2 hours. Specimens were heat-treated at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours to crystallize the amorphous $TiO_2$ nanotubes, and precalcified by soaking in $Na_2HPO_4$ solution for 24 hours and then in saturated $Ca(OH)_2$ solution for 5 hours. To evaluate the bioactivity of the precalcified $TiO_2$ nanotube layer, hydroxyapatite formation was investigated in a Hanks' balanced salts solution with pH 7.4 at $36.5^{\circ}C$ for 2 weeks. Results: Vertically oriented amorphous $TiO_2$ nanotubes of diameters 48.0 - 65.0 ㎚ were fabricated by anodizing treatment at 20 V for 2 hours in an 0.5 M $Na_2SO_4$ and 1.0 NaF solution. $TiO_2$ nanotubes were composed with strong anatase peak with presence of rutile peak after heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$. The surface reactivity of $TiO_2$ nanotubes in SBF solution was enhanced by precalcification treatment in 0.5 M $Na_2HPO_4$ solution for 24 hours and then in saturated $Ca(OH)_2$ solution for 5 hours. The immersion in Hank's solution for 2 weeks showed that the intensity of $TiO_2$ rutile peak increased but the surface reactivity decreased by heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$. Conclusion: This study shows that the precalcified treatment of $TiO_2$ Nanotube formed on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy enhances the surface reactivity.