Hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp] and titanium(Ti) metal are known to be excellent materials with high affinities for natural bone through the apatite. Tricalcium phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2, TCP] is a promising alternative material because it is similar to HAp in its physical properties and biocompatibility. To examine the influence of hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, pure titanium and pre-treated titanium on osteopontin expression in osteoblasts, RNA was extracted from proliferated and cultured osteoblast cells and OPN mRNA expression was observed by RT-PCR.