Fig. 1. Non-textured NiTi implant (G1).

Fig. 2. Schematic representation of laser apparatus (A) and strategic design (B) for textures manufacture.

Fig. 3. Surgical procedure and implantation.

Fig. 4. Push-out assay. (A) Schematic representation, (B) real image of push-out setup and (C) load-displacement curve (gray area represents energy absorption).

Fig. 5. Schematic representation of the cuts made for histological characterization.

Fig. 6. SEM micrographs of G2 and G3 laser textured implants before in vivo implantation and respective obtained dimensions in µm (a=groove width, b=wall thickness and c=depth).

Fig. 7. Radiographic images of the leg of Sprague Dawley rats after the implantation times (4 and 12 weeks) with NiTi implants (G1, G2 and G3).

Fig. 8. Push-out results regarding maximum force for the different groups, at each timepoint. Values shown as mean ± SD. *- p < 0.05; **- p < 0.01; *** - p < 0.001; **** - p < 0.0001.

Fig. 9. Typical load-displacement curves for all groups and timepoints.

Fig. 10. Histological sections of the implants and bone tissues after 4 and 12 weeks of implantation.

Fig. 11. SEM micrographs and EDS spectra of G1 specimens, after push-out tests, for (A) 4 weeks and (B) 12 weeks.

Fig. 12. SEM micrographs of bone cavity for G1, after push-out experiments, for (A) 4 weeks and (B) 12 weeks: number 1 corresponds to secondary mode and number 2 to back-scattered mode.

Fig. 13. SEM micrographs and EDS spectra of G2 and G3, after push-out tests, for 4 and 12 weeks.

Fig. 14. SEM micrographs of bone cavity for G2 and G3, after push-out experiments, for the different timepoints: 4 and 12 weeks.