Orthopedic nanoceramics

For nanoceramics like calcium phosphates, the transfer of research outcomes from laboratory to clinical beds is relatively faster compared to other nanomaterials. To date, plenty of conventional ceramics have been successfully used in orthopedics for a long period of time with excellent or satisfactory safety and efficacy records. Therefore, it is expected that the nanostructured version of such ceramics may first become available for clinical use in the near future. Indeed, there are already some commercialized orthopedic nanoceramics that have reached or are close to product launch, which is summarized below. 

Due to their ability to selectively promote both osteoblast and osteoclast function, nanophase ceramics provide a preferable alternative to conventional orthopedic and dental implants that fail to integrate with surrounding bone it is undoubtedly highly desirable to minimize, if not avoid, clinical complications that necessitate removal of failed implants as a result of poor surface properties that lead to insufficient osseointegration. These results provide evidence that nanoceramics may be synthesized to match surface properties of bone and, thus, demonstrate strong promise and potential for their use in orthopedic and dental applications. 

Due to the maturation of fabrication materials and methods, ZrO transformation toughened nanoceramics have immense potential of commercialization for orthopedic use. In fact, the European Nanoker integrated project, operated since 2005, is dedicated to commercializing structural ceramic nanocomposites of ZrO and AI2O3 for resurfacing ceramic orthopedic implants such as hip resurfacing and unicondylar knee prostheses [85,100]. Prototypes of such resurfacing implants based on ceramic nanocomposites have been produced in the framework of the Nanoker project and launch of the products is planned. 

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