Contamination of dental implants as a factor in the success/failure of the implantation process

Titanium is widely regarded as the most biocompatible noble metal, demonstrating excellent affinity with bone tissue and supporting the process of osseointegration, which is critical for the success of dental implant procedures. Most dental implant manufacturers report a 99% success rate and claim their implants are composed of 99% titanium. However, the remaining 1% of the material composition often remains unspecified, raising questions about its potential impact on clinical outcomes.
Aim: Despite extensive research in dental implantology, implant failure still occurs, frequently due to peri- implantitis — an inflammatory process that can lead to implant loss.
Methods: This study aimed to investigate the surface composition of dental implants from various manufacturers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to assess the potential role of surface contaminants in the osseointegration process.
Results and conclusions: Our findings indicate that, in addition to titanium, several chemical elements were present on the implant surfaces, including silicon, chlorine, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and sodium. These elements may originate from manufacturing, handling, or packaging processes, and their presence may influence the biological response to the implant, either positively or negatively. Depending on their concentration and interaction with host tissues, such elements could enhance osseointegration or contribute to inflammatory reactions and implant failure.This study underscores the importance of surface purity and composition in dental implants and highlights the need for further investigation into the clinical relevance of surface contaminants.
Keywords: dental implant, chemical elements, contamination, osseointegration, peri-implantitis