Study on Silver-Containing HA Coatings Prepared by Vacuum Plasma Spraying

Vacuum plasma sprayed (VPS) hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings with silver-loaded zirconium phosphate antimicrobial have been prepared on titanium substrate. Antibacterial effects of the coatings were studied by bacteria culturing using Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) as microorganisms. Simulated body fluid (SBF) test was carried out to evaluate the bioactivity of the coatings as well. The results obtained showed that the coatings exhibited a marked antibacterial effect against Pg, Fn and Aa when the content of antimicrobial was equal to or more than 5%. The antibacterial capability of the coatings decreased in the following order: Pg, Fn, Aa. Bone-like apatite layer was formed on the silver-containing HA coatings after immersed in SBF, suggesting that their bioactivities were not affected obviously by the addition of silver-zirconium phosphate antimicrobial. This study indicated that silver-containing VPS HA coating is a prospective candidate as dental material.