Development of Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on Titanium Surfaces as a Substitute for Opaque and Body Porcelain

The development of titanium–porcelain prosthetics has garnered significant attention due to their excellent biocompatibility and aesthetics. Unfortunately, the application of titanium–porcelain prosthetics has been restricted by their poor bonding strength. In this study, to enhance the bonding strength of the titanium surface, a ceramic coating was synthesized on the titanium surface using the micro arc oxidation method. Furthermore, the ceramic coating can substitute body porcelain in titanium–porcelain prostheses due to its color similarity to natural teeth. The morphologies and phase compositions of the coatings were analyzed using SEM and XRD techniques. The bonding strength, wettability, and colors were also investigated. The results show that the corresponding bonding strength between the titanium substrate and ceramic coating is higher than 30 MPa, which meets the requirements of porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. The concentration of cerium oxide can be modulated by adjusting the cerium nitrate coating’s color distribution. Therefore, this method offers a practical and valuable approach to replacing opaque and body porcelain with ceramic coatings.