Investigation of photofunctionalization applied to cranial implants produced by incremental sheet forming (ISF)

This study aimed at analyzing the applicability of commercially pure titanium grade 2 (Cp) in cranial implants produced by incremental sheet forming (ISF) subjected to photofunctionalization via UV LED. ISF and heat treatment were used to meet the expected implant dimensions and3D scanning to determine the best result between the 3D model and the final prosthesis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis to understand the behavior of samples before and after photofunctionalization. The wettability angle was used to assess the effectiveness of photofunctionalization. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to verify the chemical behavior of the sample. The prosthesis can be obtained in the best possible manner to meet the requirements of the patient's model. UV irradiation was effective in wettability tests while XPS and SEM analysis showed a considerable decline in the number of hydrocarbons and an increase in TiOH and TiO2 groups. Photofunctionalization has proved to be a valid method in reducing contamination, with different results in dental implants. The objective here was to amplify this process, lowering the costs by developing a photofunctionalization device that can be expanded to cranial implant applications.