Analysis of serum metal ion levels in dental implant patients

Abstract

Background: Dental implants have been widely used for the replacement of missing teeth in fully and partially edentulous patients. Titanium (Ti) has been the material of choice for dental implants due to its superior corrosion resistance behaviour and desirable mechanical properties. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing the serum metal ion levels in Dental Implant Patients. Materials & methods: A total of 20 subjects with missing mandibular first molar and scheduled for prosthetic rehabilitation for same using dental implant therapy were enrolled. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and sent to laboratory where auto-analyser was used for evaluation of metal ions levels. All the dental implant procedures were carried out under the hands of skilled implantologists. After placement of dental implants, blood samples were obtained at 8 weeks and 6 months follow-up. Metal ions were assessed at subsequent follow-ups. All the results were analysed by SPSS software. Results: Mean serum titanium concentration at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months was fond to be 2.39 mg/dL, 2.35 mg/dL and 2.38 mg/dL respectively. Mean serum aluminium concentration at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months was fond to be 4.19 mg/dL, 4.16 mg/dL and 4.18 mg/dL respectively.