Dual Activity of Ag-Doped TiO2 Gels and Osteoporotic Implant Interface Responses

Abstract

The clinical longevity of orthopedic implants in osteoporotic patients is frequently compromised by two primary failure modalities: insufficient osseointegration due to low bone density and the development of implant-associated infections. This paper investigates the dual functional capability of silver-doped titanium dioxide (Ag-doped TiO2) sol-gel coatings to address these concurrent challenges. We synthesized nanostructured TiO2 gels with varying concentrations of silver ions to evaluate their physicochemical properties, antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, and osteogenic potential using osteoporotic animal models. The study focuses on the interfacial responses, specifically analyzing how the release kinetics of silver ions interact with the compromised biological environment typical of osteoporosis. Our results indicate that a controlled doping level achieves a critical balance, significantly reducing bacterial colonization through the release of reactive oxygen species while simultaneously preserving osteoblast viability and promoting mineralization. The surface topography modifications induced by the sol-gel process further enhance the mechanical interlocking at the bone-implant interface. These findings suggest that Ag-doped TiO2 gels represent a promising surface modification strategy for next-generation implants designed for patients with compromised bone quality.