Dental Implant material

Dental implantology is relatively old, but is in evidence-based perspective still as medical territory. Before 2000 to 3000 years ago were different tooth materials for the replacement of a jaw bone used in the. There are skull remains, where rows of teeth were found in quartz carved. Many other organic and inorganic materials were used. ivory and wood, various metals, including iron, and more recently plastics have been used as implants. Of all the debris has titanium the last 20 to 30 years, most convincingly through in.

The connection between the titanium surface and the bone is normal, infection-free conditions in many respects to the most reliable. Also, it is very rare to fractures of the implant body, because the elastic moduli of bone and titanium are similar.

In contrast to orthopedics, especially in the titanium alloys used in dental implants, modern pure titanium produced. For decades, it is known that titanium biologically neutral ( biocompatibility ) behaves and no allergic or foreign body reaction triggers. The reason is that Titan direct molecular link to the bone receiving any. For other materials is not the case. Hereby, the micromorphological interface design plays a key role. With micro-pores of an average depth of 5 to 100 microns roughened be a must.

The property of titanium, a protective oxide layer on the surface to form oxygen is the cause for his biologically inert behavior and thus its very good tolerability. The biological properties of the bone cause it crystallographic direct connection with entering into a titanium oxide. This is called osseointegration .

A further condition for this biological process is the roughening of the titanium surface. Initially, this was by spraying ("additive process") titanium powders by argon and high temperature reached (titanium plasma spray "TPS"). This method is relatively expensive, so many manufacturers since 2000 to about cheaper acid-etching process ("acid etching" or combinations thereof, "SLA") requires a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid to fall back by ("subtractive method").

Numerous studies are currently underway about whether this subtractive method of roughening the excellent additive method or even superior to, is equivalent. Objective in both cases, the adhesion of bone-forming cells ( osteoblasts ) on the surface of the roughened implant body, whatever its external form design (cylinder, screw, sheet or disc).

In this assessment are also marketing interests of producers in terms of their unique selling proposition , just USP , were fed. Since both methods a common ground for medical conditions extremely high success rate (more than 95% at five years of residence) have, this is not of clinical importance for patients.

All implants have a certification from the health authorities as a safe medical devices ( CE - or FDA approval) have.