Objective: To review the research progress of promoting the bone formation at early stage by components of the extracellular matrix (ECM).
Methods: Recent literature concerning the influence of these components on new bone formation and bone/implant contact was extensively reviewed and summarized.
Results: Coating of titanium or hydroxyapatite implants with organic components of the ECM (such as collagen type I, chondroitin sulfate, and Arg-Gly-Asp peptide) offers great potential to improve new bone formation and enhance bone/implant contact, which in turn will shorten recovery time and improve implant stability.
Conclusion: The increasing knowledge about the role of the ECM for recruitment, proliferation, differentiation of cells, and regeneration of tissue will eventually deal to the creating of an artificial EGM on the implant that could allow a defined adjustment of the required properties to support the healing process.