Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Ni+2 release analysis of NiTi-shape-memory dental alloys coated by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) method

This study aims to prevent the release of Ni+2 and increase the biocompatibility of NiTi-shape-memory dental alloys with the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating by preserving the shape-memory feature in the oral environment. The TiO2-ceramic coating and Ag-doped TiO2 coating have been grown on shape-memory, co-atoms’ dental NiTi alloys with the MAO method. Biocompatibility properties of the coating were determined by in-vitro tests. In-vitro tests have been made as retention tests in a simulated body fluid (SBF). Whether the grown surface coating impacts the shape-memory properties of the base material or not has been determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. It was observed as a result of retention tests that bone-like apatite form occurred on the surface of TiO2-coated NiTi and Ag-doped TiO2-coated NiTi coating. It was determined as a result of retention tests in SBF that the Ni+2 release rate from the base material was below the limit of detection in coated samples. As a result of DSC analysis, it was not observed any significant changes in transformation temperature with the MAO coating. It was concluded that the thin-film coatings formed by MAO technique prevent the release of Ni in the oral environment and increase the biocompatibility by preserving shape memory properties of NiTi dental alloys.