Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Feb 2016

In Vitro Evaluation of Titanium Exfoliation During Simulated Surgical Insertion of Dental Implants

MS,
DDS,
DDS,
PhD,
PhD, and
PhD
Page Range: 34 – 40
DOI: 10.1563/aaid-joi-D-14-00230
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Dissolution of titanium wear particles in the oral environment, and their accumulation in the surrounding tissues have been associated with failure of dental implants (DI). The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of mechanical forces involved in surgical insertion of DI on surface wear and metal particle generation. It was hypothesized that mechanical factors associated with implant placement can lead to the generation of titanium particles in the oral environment. The testing methodology for surface evaluation employed simulated surgical insertion, followed by removal of DI in different densities of simulated bone material. Torsional forces were monitored for the insertion and removal of DI. The surface of the simulated bone materials was inspected with optical microscopy to detect traces of metallic particles that may have been generated during the procedure. Further characterization of the composition of powders collected from osteotomy cavities was conducted with powder X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the different densities of simulated bone material affected the torsional forces associated with implant insertion. However, the mechanical factors involved in the implant insertion/removal procedure did not generate wear particles, as confirmed by powder X-ray experiments.

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Figure 1

Sawbone block prepared for implant insertion testing and schematics of full cycle of insertion and removal of an implant.


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Figure 2

(a through d) Group 1 dental implants. (e through h) Group 2 dental implants. Particle deposition (marked with black arrows) observed in the site of insertion (osteotomy) postremoval of implants in sawbone of different densities: (a, e) 10 per cubic foot (PCF), (b, f) 20 PCF, (c, g) 30 PCF, (d, h) 40 PCF.


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Figure 3

X-ray diffraction patterns of ground specimen extracted from sawbone blocks with densities of (a) 10 per cubic foot (PCF), (b) 20 PCF, (c) 30 PCF, (d) 40 PCF, subjected to insertion/removal of Group 1 implants. Red and blue trace represents two specimens obtained from sawbone extraction from the site of insertion (osteotomy) postremoval of implants. Black trace represents sawbone specimen that was not subjected to insertion of implant.


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Figure 4

X-ray diffraction patterns of ground specimen extracted from sawbone blocks with densities of (a) 10 per cubic foot (PCF), (b) 20 PCF, (c) 30 PCF, (d) 40 PCF, subjected to insertion/removal of group 2 implants. Green, red, and blue trace represents three specimens obtained from sawbone extraction from the site of insertion (osteotomy) post removal of implants. Black trace represents sawbone specimen that was not subjected to insertion of implant.


Contributor Notes

Corresponding author, e-mail danieli@utdallas.edu
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