Titanium particles are common around dental implants

Titanium micro-particles in the oral mucosa around dental implants are common. This is shown in a new study from the University of Gothenburg, which also identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles. According to the researchers, there is no reason for concern, but more knowledge is needed.

“Titanium is a well-studied material that has been used for decades. It is biocompatible and safe, but our findings show that we need to better understand what happens to the micro-particles over time. Do they remain in the tissue or spread elsewhere in the body?” says Tord Berglundh, Senior Professor, University of Gothenburg.

Previous research has shown that titanium particles may occur in inflamed tissues around dental implants. The new study, published in Communications Medicine, showed that titanium micro-particles were consistently found at all examined implants.

The researchers analysed tissue samples from 21 patients with multiple adjacent implants.

Samples were taken both at healthy implants and at implants affected by peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease.

The density of particles varied between patients, but not between sites with and without peri-implantitis within the same patient.

The researchers suspect that titanium particles are released during the surgical installation procedure, when the screw-shaped implant is inserted into the prepared canal in the bone. In this context, the observation on differences in micro-particle densities between various implant systems deserves attention, since the surface structure of the implant may influence the deposition of micro-particles. This is now an important topic for continued research.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409115249.htm