Optimising Titanium Implant Stability and Infection Resistance through Iron Nanoparticle Coatings: A Preclinical Investigation

Background: Attaining adequate osseointegration and mitigating infections are paramount issues in implantology, especially within dental and orthopaedic domains. Titanium implants have been utilised for their biocompatibility and mechanical strength; yet, problems such as peri-implant infections and inadequate bone integration may undermine their efficacy. Coating titanium implants with iron nanoparticles (FeNp) has surfaced as a promising approach to improve osseointegration and antibacterial characteristics. FeNp's distinctive capacity to react to magnetic fields and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) has the potential to enhance implant results.

Objective: To assess the influence of FeNp-coated titanium implants on osseointegration, mechanical stability, osteogenesis, and antibacterial effectiveness against prevalent implant-associated infections, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Materials and methods: In vivo investigations were performed on animal models to evaluate implant stability by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and removal torque measurements at 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation. Histopathological assessment was conducted to analyze the osseous formation and vascularization surrounding the implants. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were employed to assess the antibacterial efficacy of magnetized FeNp against S. aureus and E. coli.

Results: At 6 weeks, no substantial change was detected in (RFA) or removal torque between the control group (GROUP A) and the test group (GROUP B). However, by 12 weeks, GROUP B demonstrated significantly higher RFA scores (75.02 ± 5.11) compared to GROUP A (67.41 ± 9.85), indicating improved implant stability (p < 0.05). Removal torque values were also significantly higher in GROUP B at 12 weeks (76.30 ± 14.20) compared to GROUP A (46.10 ± 9.25), suggesting enhanced mechanical integration (p < 0.01). Histopathological analysis revealed greater new bone formation, increased osteoblast activity, and improved vascularization around FeNp-coated implants in GROUP B. Additionally, in vitro antibacterial testing demonstrated that FeNp coatings effectively inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, providing further evidence of its antimicrobial effect CONCLUSION: : FeNp-coated implants have dual advantages: improved osseointegration and antibacterial defence. The findings indicate that FeNp coatings might substantially enhance implant longevity and diminish the likelihood of infection, offering a potential approach for clinical applications, especially for patients at elevated risk of implant failure. Subsequent research should concentrate on enhancing the application of FeNp coatings in clinical environments and further examining their long-term biocompatibility and effectiveness.