Figure 7. Schematic sketch of the major concepts of the intelligent implant surface.

Early and excessive release of silver into the supernatant prevents the growth of bacteria such as S. aureus (peri-surgery). Towards the end of the silver burst, low concentrations of silver nanoparticels induce a procoagulatory and a proangiogenic status in endothelial cells (early post-surgery). Further cell proliferation and differentiation leads to vascularization and to the integration of the implant into the bone (late post-surgery).