Material For Dental Implants Research Articles

Comprehensive evaluation of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of ultrafine-grained TiMoNb alloy for dental implants

To address the limited wear resistance observed in traditional titanium alloys, we have developed an ultrafine-grained equiatomic TiMoNb compositionally complex alloy (CCA) with exceptional wear resistance. However, there is a significant lack of in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the TiMoNb CCA for biomedical applications. In this study, we comprehensively evaluate the corrosion behavior, tribo-corrosion performance, biocompatibility, and osseointegration of the TiMoNb alloy. Our findings indicate that the alloy exhibits strong corrosion resistance and stable tribo-corrosion behavior, attributed to the presence of Ti-rich nanoscale precipitates that impede tribo-corrosion-induced shear deformation, along with a protective nanoscale oxide layer. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of the TiMoNb alloy and reveal its ability to promote the regeneration of defective femurs and its favorable bone osseointegration capability. Overall, our study underscores the potential of the TiMoNb alloy as a promising material for dental implants and provides valuable insights into the tribo-corrosion mechanisms of ultrafine-grained alloys.

Micro-arc driven porous ZrO2 coating for tailoring surface properties of titanium for dental implants application

Titanium (Ti) is an ideal material for dental implants due to its excellent properties. However, corrosion and mechanical wear lead to Ti ions and particles release, triggering inflammatory responses and bone resorption. To overcome these challenges, surface modification techniques are used, including micro-arc oxidation (MAO). MAO creates adherent, porous coatings on Ti implants with diverse chemical compositions. In this context, zirconia element stands out in its wear and corrosion properties associated with low friction and chemical stability. Therefore, we investigated the impact of adding zirconium oxide (ZrO2) to Ti surfaces through MAO, aiming for improved electrochemical and mechanical properties. Additionally, the antimicrobial and modulatory potentials, cytocompatibility, and proteomic profile of surfaces were investigated. Ti discs were divided into four groups: machined – control (cpTi), treated by MAO with 0.04 M KOH – control (KOH), and two experimental groups incorporating ZrO2 at concentrations of 0.04 M and 0.08 M, composing the KOH@Zr4 and KOH@Zr8 groups. KOH@Zr8 showed higher surface porosity and roughness, even distribution of zirconia, formation of crystalline phases like ZrTiO4, and hydrophilicity. ZrO2 groups showed better mechanical performance including higher hardness values, lower wear area and mass loss, and higher friction coefficient under tribological conditions. The formation of a more compact oxide layer was observed, which favors the electrochemical stability of ZrO2 surfaces. Besides not inducing greater biofilm formation, ZrO2 surfaces reduced the load of pathogenic bacteria evidenced by the DNA-DNA checkerboard analysis. ZrO2 surfaces were cytocompatible with pre-osteoblastic cells. The saliva proteomic profile, evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, was slightly changed by zirconia, with more proteins adsorbed. KOH@Zr8 group notably absorbed proteins crucial for implant biological responses, like albumin and fibronectin. Incorporating ZrO2 improved the mechanical and electrochemical behavior of Ti surfaces, as well as modulated biofilm composition and provided suitable biological responses.

Development and Validation of a Novel Analytical Method for Assessing the Long-Term Degradation and Stability of Dental Implant Materials

Development and Validation of a Novel Analytical Method for Assessing the Long-Term Degradation and Stability of Dental Implant Materials

Enhancing osseointegration and angiogenesis of Titanium implants through KMnO4-Modified Montmorillonite nano-clay coating

Titanium (Ti) is a widely used and favored material for dental implants, with research efforts focusing on enhancing its osseointegration capabilities. Montmorillonite (MMT), a nano-clay, has shown significant potential in drug delivery, wound healing, and other biomedical applications. Implant coatings based on MMT have demonstrated promising results; however, challenges remain in terms of surface bond strength, stability, and uniformity. Studies have indicated that manganese (Mn) can enhance cell viability, proliferation, and adhesion by activating integrin receptors. Here, a KMnO4-modified MMT (MAO-MMT-Mn) coating was developed on Ti through the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technique. The MAO-MMT-Mn coating significantly strengthens its bond, enabling it to withstand greater loads. The incorporation of Mn, silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) resulted in the formation of uniformly distributed lamellar MMT, facilitating the sustained release of these elements. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the MAO-MMT-Mn coating promoted osteoblast adhesion and endothelial cell migration, and led to a significant increase in the expression of osteogenic and angiogenic genes compared to uncoated Ti. Moreover, in vivo assessments using micro-CT scans and histological staining revealed improved local osseointegration and angiogenesis after 4 weeks of implantation. In conclusion, the MAO-MMT-Mn coating offers a safe, simple, and cost-effective method to enhance the surfaces of Ti implants, thereby potentially enhancing the clinical outcomes of dental implant procedures.

Electrochemical corrosion study of CH-xTiO2 (x=Ag, Mg, Sr, and Zn) coated Ti–6Al–4V alloy for dental implant

Ti–6Al–4V is a widely used material for dental and orthopedic implants due to its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. However, it is susceptible to corrosion when exposed to the human body and oral environment. To alleviate this issue and for enhancing and improving its application in dentistry, we applied a protective coating to the alloy surface. Thin films of CH-xTiO2 (x = Ag, Mg, Sr, and Zn) composites were deposited on titanium alloy substrates using the sol-gel dip coating technique. It is an environmentally friendly technique known for enhancing metal corrosion resistance. The surface roughness and morphology of coated and uncoated substrates were analyzed using profilometry, SEM, and AFM. The results revealed that the coating effectively protects the alloy surface. Corrosion protection in artificial saliva was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies. The results indicate that the CH-xTiO2 coating significantly improves the corrosion resistance of titanium alloy surfaces in artificial saliva, enhancing the durability and performance of dental implants in challenging oral environments and thus increasing patient satisfaction.

Biomechanical Effects of Titanium and Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK as Dental Implant Material: A Finite Element Analysis.

The aim of this study is to examine the stresses on the peri-implant bone under occlusal forces of 30% Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK (Cfr-PEEK) and 60% Cfr-PEEK materials that can be used as an alternative to titanium dental implants by finite element analysis. Single-tooth implants of 30% Cfr-PEEK, 60% Cfr-PEEK and titanium were modeled in each of the maxillary anterior, maxilla posterior, mandibular posterior regions. As a result of the applied vertical and oblique forces; Von Misses stress, maximum principal stress and minimum principal stress values and stress distributions in the implant, cortical bone and spongious bone in each of the models were examined. 30% Cfr-PEEK implants stress in the surrounding bone was higher than titanium and 60% Cfr-PEEK implants. The 60% Cfr-PEEK material displayed lower stress distribution on both cortical and spongious peri-implant bone in all models. Titanium and 60% Cfr- PEEK implants exhibited biomechanically similar behavior and these implants conducted stresses to bone more homogeneous than the 30% Cfr-PEEK implants. Overall, oblique forces had more destructive effect than vertical forces and denser bone structure showed better stress distribution against incoming forces. For the routine use of Cfr-PEEK material as dental implant material; animal and long-term clinical studies are needed.

Effect of graphene oxide loaded on TiO2-nanotube-modified Ti on inflammatory responses

Although a titanium matrix modified with titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) arrays can have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, these effects are limited. In this study, the TNT surface was modified by electrodepositing graphene oxide (GO) to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of the material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize each of these materials. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the cell proliferation status. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing were used to assess the regulation of inflammation in each group. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that GO was successfully loaded onto the surface. The SEM, ELISA, fluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing results indicated that TNT-GO can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response and induce the M2 polarization of macrophages. TNT-GO can weaken the surface inflammatory responses of materials, suppress the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, and promote the M2 polarization of macrophages. These advantageous properties render TNT-GO a promising material for dental implants.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Titanium, Zirconia, and Ceramic Dental Implant Materials: A Comparative Analysis of Mechanical and Esthetic Properties.

Dental implant materials play a pivotal role in the success of restorative dentistry. This study comprehensively compares the mechanical and esthetic properties of three commonly used dental implant materials: titanium, zirconia, and ceramic. This study aimed to provideinsights into the suitability of titanium, zirconia, and ceramic for various clinical applications within implant dentistry. Ninety dental implants, 30 for each material, were selected based on their well-established usage in dental implantology. Mechanical properties, including tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and fatigue resistance, were assessed using state-of-the-art testing machines. Esthetic properties, such as color stability and translucency, were scrutinized through immersion in staining solutions and spectrophotometer measurements. Fracture properties and biocompatibility were also evaluated. Mechanical testing revealed that titanium exhibited the highest tensile strength (810 ± 55 MPa), while zirconia demonstrated the highest modulus of elasticity (208 ± 8 GPa). Titanium also displayed the greatest fatigue resistance (1,010,000 ± 95,000 cycles), whereas zirconia had the highest hardness (1190 ± 45 Vickers hardness number (VHN)). Esthetically, zirconia showed superior color stability (ΔE: 1.7 ± 0.2), while ceramic exhibited the highest translucency (TP%: 15.3 ± 1.7). Zirconia presented the lowest surface roughness (0.28 ± 0.04 μm). This study provides insights into potential dental implant material performance, with zirconia emerging as a promising alternative. Future research should validate these findings in clinical settings, considering a broader array of variables and long-term outcomes.

The Effect of Gold Nanoparticle-Coated Dental Implants on Osseointegration - A Systematic Review.

Dental implants are used in dentistry to replace teeth, restore function and improve the quality of life for patients. Osseointegration is critical for the success of dental implants. Implant surface modification can enhance osseointegration. Gold nanoparticles have emerged as a promising coating material for dental implants owing to their unique physicochemical properties. We aimed to review published literature to assess the effect of gold nanoparticle coating in increasing osseointegration of dental implants. A database search yielded a total of 14 articles between January 2011 till December 2021, of which nine articles were excluded and five studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies reported improved osseointegration outcomes with gold nanoparticle coating compared to uncoated controls. The most reported osseointegration outcomes were bone-implant contact, removal torque (RTQ) and histological analysis of bone formation around the implant. Mean RTQ values for coated implants ranged from 6.7 to 52.8 Ncm, compared to 3.7-40.8 Ncm for uncoated controls. The histological analysis showed greater bone formation and density around the coated implants compared to uncoated implants. Gold nanoparticle coating appears to have a positive effect on osseointegration. The results of included studies suggest that gold nanoparticle-coated implants promote greater bone-implant contact (BIC), RTQ and bone formation around the coated implant than the uncoated implant. With increasing usage of dental implants, the most prevailing concern among clinicians remains to be peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is observed despite the biocompatibility and osseointegration properties of titanium. Surface coatings with antimicrobial effectiveness can help in preventing the onset of peri-implantitis and bone loss, while increasing BIC.

PEEK-Polymer for Dental Implants: A Concise Review

The biomaterials applicable in dental implantology, or implantology generally, are subject to specific requirements, namely biocompatibility, osseointegration, resistance to fracture/ oxidative degradation/ long-term compressive stress/ hydrolisis in boiling water, suitable morphology, suitable physical properties (including mechanical properties), aesthetics, etc. When selecting a suitable material for dental implants, it is also necessary to consider the patient s current health condition and possible complications when placing titanium implants and alloys. If there is a risk of an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to any of the components of the metal prosthesis, the placement of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic implant - called polyetheretherketone, abbreviated PEEK - is a possible option. Such a wide range of stiffness means that PEEK formulations can be produced with modulus values similar to cortical bone. PEEK is classified as a High Performance Polymer of polymer pyramide (such as Polysulfones polybutylene terephthalate). PEEK can be applied for dental abutment and dental body. This article summarises basic information on the structure and properties of PEEK polymer, advantages/ disadvantages (compared to metal - titanium restorations), application and general information from the examined field.

Development of patient-specific finite element model for study of composite dental implants

Traumatic dental injuries can occur due to various reasons such as accidents, sports injuries, fights, falls, and others. These injuries can affect the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues, and can range from minor chips and cracks to severe fractures, dislocations, and avulsions (when the tooth is completely knocked out of the socket). The most common way to address this is by replacing affected teeth with dental implants. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the use of composite materials in dental implants and compare them with the traditionally used materials using a patient specific cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) based finite element model (FEM). To conduct this research, two different implant groups i.e., traditional implant and composite implant were designed using Titanium grade 4, zirconium oxide-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS), and Zirconia (ZrO2). Six dental implants were designed namely Ti implant, ZLS implant, ZrO2 implant, Ti-ZrO2 composite, Ti-ZLS composite, and ZLS-ZrO2 composite using 3D modelling software. Detailed full-scale 3D models of patient specific dental implant were developed and traumatic loading conditions were applied to the enamel of central incisor teeth or crown of dental implant, and maxilla was constrained in all directions. It was found that the use of composite materials for dental implants can reduce the stresses over the surface of abutment and implant as compared to traditional implants. The detailed models developed as a part of this study can advance the research on dental implants, and with further experimental validation allow the use of composite materials for fabrication of more stable dental implants.

Comparative Evaluation of the Osteogenic Potential of Titanium Discs Subjected to Argon Plasma Surface Treatment: An in vitro Study

Abstract Introduction: Titanium is the most widely used material for dental implants; however, its biological aging can lead to a decreased rate of osseointegration. Titanium surfaces on exposure to argon plasma possess a hydrophilic surface that increases the biological activity of osteoblasts on the implant surface. Hence, this in vitro study was undertaken to assess and compare the osteogenic potential and proliferative nature of osteoblast-like cells on titanium when subjected to argon plasma surface treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 108 titanium discs (10 mm × 2 mm ASTM B348) were included in the study, and their surface topography was characterized. The test specimens were divided into two subgroups based on surface treatments used, i.e. the study group (n = 54): titanium discs treated with argon plasma and the control group (n = 54): sandblasted titanium discs. The osteogenic potential of the specimens was evaluated by assessing the cell attachment using a hemocytometer and cell proliferation using an MTT assay on MG-63 cell lines at three different time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h. Results: The cell attachment and cell proliferation values were statistically significant (P = 0.001*). In comparison to the control group, these two parameters were considerably greater in the plasma-treated group. The total effect size of the study group was 85% as opposed to 35% of the control group. Conclusion: Argon plasma surface treatment had a positive effect on the cellular events of MG-63 cells which can be thought of as an added advantage along with the decontamination procedure for titanium to help in the process of osseointegration.

A relationship of tightening torque and initial load of dental implant of nano bio-silica and bamboo fiber-reinforced bio-composite material

Due to entry of body fluid like saliva, blood, etc. in the dental implant assembly lowers the preload value, thus dental implant abutment tightening torque loses. In this article a novel chitosan-reinforced bamboo and nano bio-silica-reinforced five composite materials (CP, CF, C1, C2, and C3) are fabricated using the hand layup method, and their mechanical, biocompatible, and moisture absorption properties are observed and discussed. The present study examines the impact of friction and Young’s modulus on the correlation between torque and starting load in dental implant abutment screws, utilizing the attributes of a bio-composite material. C2 bio-composite composite material exhibits the highest tensile strength (139.442 MPa), flexural strength (183.571 MPa), compressive strength (62.78 MPa), and a minimum value of 1.35% absorption of water. C3 is tested with no cytotoxicity, while C3 and CF exhibit weak biofilm resistance against S. aureus gram-positive bacteria. The C2 bio-composite material demonstrated a maximum initial load of 20 N with a tightening torque of 20 N-cm, under both 0.12 and 0.16 coefficients of friction. The simulated results were compared with several theoretical relations of torque and initial load and found that the Motos equation holds the nearest result to the obtained preload value from finite element analysis. Overall, the experimental findings suggest that the C2 bio-composite material holds significant potential as a prominent material for dental implants or fixtures.

Development and Validation of a Novel Analytical Method for Assessing the Long-Term Degradation and Stability of Dental Implant Materials

Development and Validation of a Novel Analytical Method for Assessing the Long-Term Degradation and Stability of Dental Implant Materials

Evaluation of biocompatibility of Commercial Pure Titanium / Bioactive Glass Ceramic Functionally Graded Material as Dental Implant Material In-Vivo study

Background: the ultimate goal of modern implantology is fine and fast osseointegration which is a major factor influencing the success of dental implantation, and the optimum circumstances of it the biointegration which is the occurrence of continuity of ceramic implant to bone without intervening space. 
 Material and method: Two groups of cylindrical implant specimens were prepared from functionally graded material and commercial pure titanium. Each group composed of 40 implant specimens. The femur of 20 white male New Zealand rabbits, were chosen as implantation sites. Push out test was performed to measure bone bonding strength between implant specimen and bone after 2 and 4 weeks healing periods (10 rabbits for each periods). For each time interval 20 implant specimens for each group, which implanted in rabbits. Histological study for evaluation of tissue response and histomorphometric analysis was performed for measurement of new bone area at two time intervals.
 Result: the results of push out force and new bone formation area appeared that mean values of functionally graded material implant specimens were a statistically highly significant more than that of commercial pure titanium implant specimens after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of implantation. In histological examination, there was an active osteoid tissue around functionally graded material implants and hematopoietic tissues around commercial pure titanium implants after 2 weeks, and there was an osteoid maturation with observation of reversal lines around functionally graded material implants and new bone formation with osteocyte around commercial pure titanium implants after 4 weeks of implantation.

Exploration into the microstructural, mechanical, and biological characteristics of the functionally graded 3Y-TZP/Ti6Al4V system as a potential material for dental implants

This study investigated the mechanical, microstructural, and biological properties of 3Y-TZP/Ti6Al4V functionally graded material (FGM) fabricated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. For this purpose, 11 layers of 100-x vol% Ti6Al4V/x vol% Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) (x = 0 to 100) were sintered at 1450 °C and a pressure of 30 MPa for 8 min. To investigate the properties of each layer in more detail, 11 batches of 100-x vol% (Ti6Al4V)/x vol% YSZ (x = 0 to 100) composites were sintered separately with the same sintering conditions mentioned for the FGM sample. Phase identification of the FGM sample showed the formation of Ti3O, c-ZrO2, and Zr3O phases as by-products. A schematic model was proposed for the formation of the mentioned phases with the aid of thermodynamic calculations. The formation of these phases was confirmed by microstructural and elemental tests. The results of the relative density of the samples showed that these values were obtained for each layer above 99%. The microhardness of 590 ± 18 Vickers was obtained for Ti6Al4V; by increasing the amount of 3Y-TZP, this value reached 1510 ± 24 Vickers for the YSZ sample. The fracture toughness value for Ti6Al4V was 39.2 ± 2 MPa m0.5, which was significantly reduced to 4.84 ± 1 MPa m0.5 by adding 10 vol% YSZ. After that, with the further increase of YSZ, this value increased slowly. A similar trend was observed for the bending strength of the samples. By increasing 3Y-TZP from 0 to 30 vol%, the bending strength was decreased from 1556 ± 32 to 272 ± 62 MPa. By further increasing the amount of 3Y-TZP from 30 to 100 vol%, an increase in the bending strength was observed in the samples, which reached 1180 ± 71 MPa for the YSZ sample. The FGM sample showed a brittle fracture despite a metal layer, but a higher bending strength (982 ± 44 MPa) was obtained for this structure than the composite samples. The biological results show that increasing YSZ content leads to a decrease in antimicrobial activity. Additionally, all samples demonstrated high biocompatibility based on MTT cytotoxicity tests after 1 and 7 days of culture.

Bio Materials, Biocompatibility & its Advancements in Medical

There are different medical applications that utilize biomaterials to settle tissues, convey drugs, and make biomedical devices. This paper gives a relevant analysis of biomaterials talking about their groupings, highlights, biocompatibility issues, and a variety of medical uses or applications. The paper separates biomaterials into polymers, ceramics, metals, and composites explaining them in detail with a focus on particular traits that suit indicated medical purposes. According to the paper, Polymers are adaptable materials that can be utilized as scaffolds for tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels, or drug carriers in aqueous media. On talking about ceramics in this paper, ceramics are commonly utilized in bone replacement material due to their extraordinary mechanical properties and bioactivity. Basically, all ceramics such as tricalcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite have had higher success rates because of their high mineral substance making them perfect materials for dental implants. Metals like titanium, cobalt-chromium alloys, or stainless steel have found wide utilization since they have great mechanical strength and erosion resistance which is frequently required for end osseous dental implants. As a result, biocompatibility is given priority in biomaterial design, with the requirement for materials to connect safely and agreeably with natural frameworks. In reality, improvements in biomaterial innovation have empowered the advancement of innovative materials to boost their biocompatibility through such strategies as surface adjustments and bio-mimetic coatings. These all advancements have a high growth in this sector and become useful for the medical industry. Moreover, this paper clarifies how these biomaterials play an impactful portion in the mechanical advancement of medical devices which incorporates catheters, implantable devices, drug conveyance systems, and orthopaedic implants among others. The major utilization of artificial polymers is found in making medical instruments whereas ceramics are broadly utilized in orthopaedics and dentistry which upgrades bone recovery and Osseo integration. Similarly, metals that are well known for their mechanical ability, as well as biocompatibility, have a substantial existence in orthopaedic implants alongside cardiovascular devices. Through a wide range review of biomaterials and their numerous uses in healthcare, this paper can contribute a few valuable insights concerning how this will shape the future of medical technology and persistent care.

An Analysis of Patients' Knowledge and Experience Associated with Metallic Dental Implant Material

Background: Metallic dental implant materials play a pivotal role in modern dentistry, serving as a key component in the restoration of missing teeth. Patients' knowledge and experiences related to these metallic materials are essential aspects in understanding the overall success and acceptability of dental implant procedures. Objective: To determine the patients' knowledge and experience (satisfaction and problems) associated with Metallic Dental Implant Material. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey-based study. Settings: Bhittai Dental Hospital Mirpur Khas and Hamdard University, Dental Hospital, Karachi Pakistan. Duration: Six months from march 2021 to August 2021. Methods: All the patients above 18 years of age, both gender, individuals who have previously undergone dental implant procedures involving metallic materials, those who are considering dental implant procedures with metallic materials were included. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions regarding patients' knowledge and experience associated with metallic dental implant material. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 26. Results: A total of 89 individuals were interviewed; out of them 55.15 were females and 44.9% were males. Most of the cases had heard about dental implant by medicos, random people and relatives. 37.1% patients had financial issues regarding dental implants, 25.8% had pain/discomfort after having an implant, 31.5% cases were facing to infection, 67.4% cases had limitation regarding meals after having a dental implant. Out of all 57.3% individuals were satisfied regarding their dental implants. Conclusion: Patients' knowledge and experience associated with metallic dental implant material observed to be average. Financial, fear of surgery, discomfort and infection issues were a major concern for a significant proportion of patients, indicating that cost may be a barrier to receiving dental implants for some patients. Despite these challenges, the majority of patients expressed satisfaction with their dental implants, indicating that the benefits of the procedure may outweigh the challenges.

Advances in silicon nitride ceramic biomaterials for dental applications – A review

Titanium and its alloys have been utilized as the preferred material for dental implants due to its mechanical and biological performance leading to high clinical success rates. Nonetheless, ceramic-based dental implants have been developed as the demands for non-metallic dental restorations have increased. The advent of bioceramics has increased the possibility of resolution in regenerative processes challenges for dentistry applications. In this regard, silicon nitride (Si3N4) as a non-oxide ceramic has the potential for oral applications which is ground in its bactericidal properties. The present work aimed to shed light on Si3N4 ceramic being used for future dental applications. As a concluding remark, the bactericidal and immunomodulatory properties of Si3N4 together with its radiolucency are inferred as a suitable contender in oral cavity and dental applications.

Application of density functional theory for evaluating the mechanical properties and structural stability of dental implant materials

BackgroundTitanium is a commonly used material for dental implants owing to its excellent biocompatibility, strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, lightweight nature, hypoallergenic properties, and ability to promote tissue adhesion. However, alternative materials, such as titanium alloys (Ti–Al-2 V) and zirconia, are available for dental implant applications. This study discusses the application of Density Functional Theory (DFT) in evaluating dental implant materials' mechanical properties and structural stability, with a specific focus on titanium (Ti) metal. It also discusses the electronic band structures, dynamic stability, and surface properties. Furthermore, it presents the mechanical properties of Ti metal, Ti–Al-2 V alloy, and zirconia, including the stiffness matrices, average properties, and elastic moduli. This research comprehensively studies Ti metal's mechanical properties, structural stability, and surface properties for dental implants.MethodsWe used computational techniques, such as the CASTEP code based on DFT, GGA within the PBE scheme for evaluating electronic exchange–correlation energy, and the BFGS minimization scheme for geometry optimization. The results provide insights into the structural properties of Ti, Ti–Al-2 V, and zirconia, including their crystal structures, space groups, and atomic positions. Elastic properties, Fermi surface analysis, and phonon studies were conducted to evaluate the tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, hardness, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance.ResultsThe findings were compared with those of Ti–Al-2 V and zirconia to assess the advantages and limitations of each material for dental implant applications. This study demonstrates the application of DFT in evaluating dental implant materials, focusing on titanium, and provides valuable insights into their mechanical properties, structural stability, and surface characteristics.ConclusionsThe findings of this study contribute to the understanding of dental implant material behavior and aid in the design of improved materials with long-term biocompatibility and stability in the oral environment.