Biomimetic Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Coatings for Titanium Implants. II. Biological "In Vitro" and "In Vivo" Characterization

Biological mineralization proceeds within an organic matrix and is induced and controlled by extracellular, highly acidic matrix macromolecules. Our group has recently prepared organic-inorganic nanocomposite coatings by a strategy that closely mimics these processes. The strategy involves depositing a matrix of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PE MLs), alternating with layers of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) particles, then "in situ" growing nanosized apatite crystals within that matrix [1, 2]. Here we describe the results of biological "in vitro" and "in vivo" testing of these materials.