Modern methods for studying the surface of titanium implants (literature review)

Studies of the coatings found on the surface of titanium implants employed in oral surgery are indispensable for understanding the interactions between the organism and the implant. This paper surveys the theory and practical applicability of the methods most frequently applied to study the surface structure and composition of the material. Detailed accounts are given of various structure investigation methods: scanning electron microscopy, stereo scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and interference microscopy; and of various composition investigation methods: secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy; and also of the corrosion procedures for the study of electrochemical behaviour.