The examination of interaction between the titan implants treated with anod oxidation and the human organism carried out with surface analytical methods. The favourable properties of metallic titanium have led to its widespread use as an implant material. These properties can be further improved by surface treatment. We have been using anodically oxidized titanium plates for purposes of osteosynthesis for more than 15 years. A specially produced surface oxide layer (TiO2) improves the properties of the metal considerably, increasing the physical and chemical resistance of the plates to the aggressive effects of the organism. Thanks to this, it is now very rare for the plates to have to be removed after the bone healing. The present aim was to use XPS, SIMS and AES surface analytical methods to study the extent to which the positive charactheristics of the TiO2 coating are altered by the aggressive action of the organism during the years following implantation. In practice, we sought to establish the length of time during which the good properties of the plates do not change, and to determine when, it at all, the plates need to removed.
Material and methods: In our present work we studied titanium (ostheosynthesis) plates, removed from 3 patients, with XPS, AES and SIMS method.
Results: It was observed that the basic metal remained covered by a TiO2 layer. In consequence of the osseintegration, the Ca and P contents of this layer had increased, which may be explained by incorporation from the organism.
Conclusion: The Ti implant with is modified surface was covered by a TiO2 layer 120-150 nm thick, which exhibited a homogeneous oxygen distribution. During many years, this had provided protection against the chemical and physical effects of the organism.