Mechanical and Biological Properties of Titanium and Its Alloys for Oral Implant with Preparation Techniques: A Review

Abstract

Dental implants have revolutionised restorative dentistry, offering patients a natural-looking and durable solution to replace missing or severely damaged teeth. Titanium and its alloys have emerged as the gold standard among the various materials available due to their exceptional properties. One of the critical advantages of titanium and its alloys is their remarkable biocompatibility which ensures minimal adverse reactions within the human body. Furthermore, they exhibit outstanding corrosion resistance ensuring the longevity of the implant. Their mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, and fatigue strength, align perfectly with the demanding requirements of dental implants, guaranteeing the restoration’s functionality and durability. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing techniques employed for titanium and its alloy dental implants while shedding light on their intrinsic properties. It also presents crucial proof-of-concept examples, offering tangible evidence of these materials’ effectiveness in clinical applications. However, despite their numerous advantages, certain limitations still exist necessitating ongoing research and development efforts. This review will briefly touch upon these restrictions and explore the evolving trends likely to shape the future of titanium and its alloy dental implants.

Surface Functionalization of Titanium-Based Implants with a Nanohydroxyapatite Layer and Its Impact on Osteoblasts: A Systematic Review

“…Further refinement during the full-text examination confirmed the inclusion of all papers identified during the initial abstract screening. The final selection for qualitative synthesis comprised 26 studies [1,2,5,6,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31], all written in English, and focused on the in vitro assessment of the impact of nanohydroxyapatite-coated titanium on osteoblast activity.…”

“…Titanium and its alloys play a crucial role in medical and dental applications, particularly in the creation of orthopaedic and dental implants [1]. Recognized for its outstanding biocompatibility, which promotes strong cell attachment, high mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, titanium stands out as a material with exceptional properties [1][2][3], hence its widespread adoption in contemporary dentistry. Dental titanium has emerged as the preferred material for applications such as dental implants, consistently demonstrating high success rates over the years.…”

“…Techniques such as roughening, air abrasion, acid etching, titanium plasma spray (TPS), micro-arc oxidation (MAO), and steam-hydrothermal treatment (SHT) are among the methods employed for surface functionalization. Titanium plasma spray (TPS) stands out as a commonly used approach [1]. Notably, additive manufacturing (AM) holds significant promise, allowing for the replication of natural cancellous bone structure [2].…”

“…Various coating materials have been explored for their effectiveness in improving the properties of titanium implants. For instance, hydroxyapatite alone has demonstrated positive outcomes, and its combinations with other materials such as silver, chitosan, calcium phosphate, zinc oxide, and collagen have been investigated [1,2]. Application of silver/hydroxyapatite nanoparticle coating has a promising potential to elevate the biocompatibility of dental implants due to the absence of cytotoxic effects, as well as to reduce inflammatory responses after implantation.…”

“…Osteoblasts, as primary contributors to the osseointegration process, are integral for orchestrating new bone formation and remodeling [5,6]. Their pivotal role extends to fostering the crucial aspect of achieving robust primary and secondary stability in dental implants, which is paramount for successful healing and treatment outcomes [1,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. The timeframe between the second and fourth weeks post-implant placement is particularly critical, given that this period is characterized by predominant bone remodeling in cortical bone, while mineralization in cancellous bone is not yet fully established [3].…”