Dental implants: corrosion and surface treatments

The replacement of a natural tooth, in order to meet the numerous biological, mechanical, functional and aesthetic constraints, requires a complex structure, comprising several superimposed elements and using certain materials and surface treatments. An implant replaces a defective tooth root with a device, usually metal, screwed into the bone. It's an artificial root inserted into the jawbone to create a strong, durable anchorage. A dental implant is then used to place a superstructure (abutment) on which an esthetic crown or a dental prosthesis (made up of several crowns) is placed, known as an "implant-supported" prosthesis. It can be likened to a screw of variable length, width and shape (one of the smallest implants on the market is around 4 mm in length and 4 mm in diameter). It transfers masticatory forces to the bone in which it is anchored. The ideal implant should not alter over time as it comes into contact with gingiva, saliva and other elements of the oral cavity. Today, almost 99% of dental implants are made of titanium or titanium alloy. In dentistry, titanium offers a number of advantages over other metals, thanks in particular to its physical and chemical properties, which have enabled it to establish itself in the technical and therapeutic arsenal. In addition to its well-known high mechanical strength and low density, which have led to its widespread use in a wide range of industrial sectors, it is its incredible biocompatibility that has come to the fore in the medical sector, largely due to the formation of a passive protective film on its surface when exposed to an aggressive environment. Every year, 11 million crowns and bridges are fitted in France. Prostheses require considerable investment (operating theatres, sterilization and traceability chains, specific room layouts, etc.). This article shows different aspects of the state of the art of modern dental implantology in terms of durability, corrosion and surface treatments used.

As is customary in the industry, unless otherwise specified, the percentages given are by mass.