Particle release from dental implants immediately after placement - An ex vivo comparison of different implant systems.

OBJECTIVES

Metallic element release during implant placement can lead to mucositis and peri-implantitis. Here, using ex vivo porcine mandibles, the release of metallic elements into the surrounding bone with different material and geometrical designs was quantified.

METHODS

Implants from BioHorizons® and Straumann® (Bone level, tapered/cylindrical, 3/4 mm body diameter, Ti-CP4/Ti-6Al-4V/Ti-15Zr) systems were used. Micro computed tomography and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to visualise and quantify metallic elements in bone, following acid digestion. Implant surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy and internalization of implant particles by human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and RAW 264.7 macrophages were demonstrated in vitro.

RESULTS

Implants with wider body diameters resulted in higher metallic element release. Ti-6Al-4V implants released significantly more metallic elements in comparison to both Ti-CP4 and Ti-15Zr devices with similar design and dimensions. Tapered Ti-CP4 implants released less compared to those with cylindrical design. Al three types of particles were internalized by HGFs and RAW 264.7.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ti-CP4 and Ti-15Zr appear to be more suitable materials, however, further studies are required to elucidate the biological effects of the fine particles and/or metallic species from dental implants. Authors would like to raise the awareness in the dental profession community that careful evaluation of the materials used in dental implants and the potential risks of the individual constituents of any alloy are needed. The potential cytotoxicity of Ti-6Al-4V implant particles should be highlighted. Further investigations on the biological effect of the fine particles or metallic species released from dental implants are also needed.