METHODS: Each alloy was immersed in growth medium for 0-21 days, and the elution was analyzed to detect the released metals. The elution was further used as the treatment medium and exposed to seeded HGFs overnight. The HGFs were also cultured directly to the titanium alloy for 1, 3 and 7 days. Cell viability was then determined.

RESULTS: Six metal elements were detected in the immersion of titanium alloys. Among these elements, molybdenum released from Ti-10Mo-10Cr had the highest concentration throughout the immersion period. Significant difference in the viability of fibroblast cells treated with growth medium containing metals and with direct exposure technique was not observed. The duration of immersion did not significantly affect cell viability. Nevertheless, cell viability was significantly affected after 1 and 7 days of exposure, when the cells were grown directly onto the alloy surfaces.