Biological Behavior and Corrosion of Prosthetic and Orthodontic Titanium Implants

Résumé

Titanium and its alloys are used in dentistry for implants because of their unique combination of chemical, physical, and biological properties. For dental implants, biocompatibility depends on mechanical and corrosion/degradation properties of the material, tissue, and host factors. Corrosion can severely limit the fatigue life and ultimate strength of the material leading to mechanical failure of the dental materials. Titanium and its alloys provide strength, rigidity, and ductility similar to those of other dental alloys. Whereas, pure titanium castings have mechanical properties similar to Type III and Type IV gold alloys, some titanium alloy castings, such as Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15V have properties closer to Ni-Cr and Co-Cr castings with the exception of lower modulus.
This article presents a few considerations and results of studies regarding the biological behavior and corrosion resistance of the commercially pure titanium (CP Ti), titanium alloys (e.g. Ti6Al4V) by comparation with other alloys (stainless steel orthodontic mini implants for example, fig.) used in prosthetic or orthodontic implant technology. The goal of the study is to determinate the main parameters (factors) and the way they affect (integrity, stability) the utilisation performance of the stainless steel orthodontic mini implants.