Dental implants are typically made from either zirconia or titanium. Titanium is often the preferred material for many dentists today, thanks to its reasonable cost and long-lasting results. However, not all titanium dental implants are created equally. There is a wide range of grades that you might encounter when you’re searching for titanium dental implants. Here’s a complete breakdown of your options.
Overview
Titanium is widely used for dental implants for a number of reasons. The material tends to be strong, has low density, and is biocompatible. Unalloyed, commercially pure titanium is available in four grades. (There are additional grades of the alloy, but grades greater than 5 are not used in dentistry.)Grades are determined by their iron and oxygen content, since these elements can have a significant impact on the physical and mechanical properties of the metal. As the iron or oxygen concentration increases, you’ll notice that the mechanical strength also increases, while the ductility decreases.
Pure Titanium Grade 4
Grade 4 titanium has been the industry standard for dental implants for a number of years. This grade has been extensively studied by professionals around the globe, and its success and safety has been proven time and time again.
Grade 4 titanium has a greater strength and less malleability than lower grades. However, it is not recommended for use in narrow dental implants or orthopedic prostheses, which are often high-stress situations.
Titanium grade 4 is often criticized for its poor wear resistance, reduced biocompatibility, and higher Young modulus.
Titanium Alloy Grade 5 or 23
Titanium alloy grade 5 and grade 23 are incredibly similar, so much so that many people get the two confused. However, there are quite a few differences.
Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) is the most commonly used alloy of titanium. It is much stronger than any of the unalloyed varieties you would find in grades 1 through 4. Grade 5 titanium is alloyed with 4% vanadium and 6% aluminum. Other than its use in biomedical implants, you’ll also find grade 5 titanium in products in the aerospace and power generation industries.
As for grade 23 (Ti-6Ai-4V-ELI), this variety is the most commonly found medical implant-grade titanium alloy. This grade is alloyed with 0.13% oxygen, 4% vanadium, and 6% aluminum. The “ELI” in the name stands for “Extra Low Interstitial.” It has improved ductility and a bit of reduction in strength thanks to the reduced iron and oxygen. Grade 23 is considered superior in terms of biocompatibility when compared to grade 5.
Your Resource for All Dental Implants
Dental implants come in all kinds of materials and shapes, and MSDI is your place to get them all. We are proudly serving satisfied customers from around the world and have been doing so for more than 15 years. All of our implants are easy to use, even for beginners, and are treated with a special SLA surface treatment process. We deliver personalized and professional service, and we hope to be your primary source for dental implants for life. Contact us today to learn more!
Resources:
https://www.walkerperio.com/blog/april-28th-2018
https://implante.institute/artigos/titanium-and-its-alloys-in-dental-implantology/612
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785418302813
