Tag: titanium

Categories : Dentistry Implants and ProsthesesTags :

Study Finds that Titanium Particles are Common Around Dental Implants

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Titanium micro-particles in the oral mucosa around dental implants are common. This is shown in a new study from the University of Gothenburg, which also identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles.

According to the researchers, there is no reason for concern, but more knowledge is needed.

“Titanium is a well-studied material that has been used for decades. It is biocompatible and safe, but our findings show that we need to better understand what happens to the micro-particles over time. Do they remain in the tissue or spread elsewhere in the body?” says Tord Berglundh, senior professor of periodontology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

Found at all implants

Previous research has shown that titanium particles may occur in inflamed tissues around dental implants. The new study, published in Communications Medicine, showed that titanium micro-particles were consistently found at all examined implants—even those without signs of inflammation.

The researchers analysed tissue samples from 21 patients with multiple adjacent implants. Samples were taken both at healthy implants and at implants affected by peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease in the tissue around the implant. Each patient thus served as their own control. The density of particles varied between patients, but not between sites with and without peri-implantitis within the same patient. The analyses were conducted in collaboration with Uppsala University, where researchers used an advanced method called µ-PIXE to map the distribution of titanium particles in the tissue samples.

Affected genes

Peri-implantitis is a microbial biofilm-associated inflammatory disease around dental implants, with features similar to those of periodontitis around teeth. The inflammatory process is complex and the resulting destruction of supporting bone in peri-implantitis may lead to loss of the implant. 

“We observed that tissue samples with higher concentrations of titanium particles had an altered gene expression, especially genes related to inflammation and wound healing. We identified 14 such genes, but it is unclear whether the particles influence the local immune response or if the difference in gene expression reflects inter-individual variability in inflammatory conditions,” says Carlotta Dionigi, specialist in periodontology and researcher at the Department of Periodontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

The researchers suspect that titanium particles are released during the surgical installation procedure, when the screw-shaped implant is inserted into the prepared canal in the alveolar bone. In this context, the observation on differences in micro-particle densities between various implant systems deserves attention, since the surface structure of the implant may influence the deposition of micro-particles. This is now an important topic for continued research.

Source: University of Gothenburg

Categories : Implants and ProsthesesTags :

Silver Lining for Titanium Implants Reduces Infection Risk

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Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Unsplash

A novel method of coating titanium implants for orthopaedic and trauma surgery promises to reduce infection complications, according to a paper published in Langmuir: The ACS Journal of Fundamental Interface Science.

Infection remains a major complication when implants such as screws and plates are embedded into people during procedures like joint replacement surgery and spinal fusion surgery. Most infections occur because the devices’ titanium implant surfaces have poor antibacterial and osteoinductive properties, despite titanium possessing the highest biocompatibility of all metals.

Assistant Professor Rahim Rahimi at Purdue University has developed a process which immobilises silver onto the implant surfaces of titanium orthopaedic devices to improve their antibacterial properties and cellular integration. The process can be implemented onto many currently utilised metal implant surfaces.

The antibacterial efficacy of laser-nanotextured titanium surfaces with laser-immobilised silver was tested against both gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The surfaces retained efficient and stable antimicrobial properties for more than six days. The laser-nanotextured titanium surfaces also provided a 2.5-fold increase in osseointegration properties compared with a pristine titanium implant surface.

“The first step of the two-step process creates a hierarchical nanostructure onto the titanium implant surface to enhance the bone cells’ attachment,” A/Prof Rahimi said. “The second step immobilises silver with antibacterial properties onto the titanium implant surface.

“The technology allows us to not only immobilise antibacterial silver compounds onto the surface of the titanium implants but also provide a unique surface nanotexturing that allows better settle attachment mineralisation.

“These unique characteristics will allow improving implant outcomes, including less risk of infection and fewer complications like device failure.”

A/Prof Rahimi said the traditional method to address infections caused by implanted orthopaedic devices often utilises antibiotics or other surface modifications that have their own associated complications.

“Long-term antibacterial protection is not possible with these traditional drug coatings because a large portion of the loaded drug is released in a short time,” Rahimi said. “There also is often a mixture of microbes that are found in implant-associated infection; it is essential to choose a bactericidal agent that covers a broad spectrum.”

Source: Purdue University