Titanium
| chemical element | Ti, 22Ti | ||
| physical | Metal, high strength-to-weight-ratio. | ||
| chemical | Oxidizes in air. Reacts with water and forms a passive oxide coating that protects the metal from further oxidation. | ||
| occurrence | Ninth-most element in earth crust. | ||
| About 50 grades of titanium and his alloys known, 35 grades ASTM, commercially used are Grades 1 through 4. It comes with additional aluminum, vanadium, mangan, molybdenum, palladium, copper, zirconium dioxide, iron and tin.
Dental implants are often made of titanium grade 4 or 5 (also Ti6Al4V, Ti-6Al-4V or Ti 6-4). It contains beside titanium 6 % aluminum, 4 % vanadium, 0,25 % (maximum) iron and 0,2 % (maximum) oxygen. Titanium Grade 4 is stronger than pure titanium and has a 60% less thermal diffusivity. The smaller the implant, the more grade 5 is preferred. |
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| properties | Non-toxic, lightweight, corrosion resistant, biocompatible, long-lasting, non-ferromagnetic, strong. | ||
| applications | Dental implants, orthopedic implants, general surgery implants (plates, screws), neurosurgery, hearing aids, spinal fusion cages, pacemakers, replacements of many bones. | ||
| biocompatibility | So far the most biocompatible metal. It works with a protective oxide film. | ||
| special | Different methods to increase the surface are used to improve the stability within bone.
Coating is possible. e.g. with HA. |
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| adverse effects | No allergic reaction known. Some intolerances have been reported.
Alternatives exist in ceramic or coated implants. |
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