A Review of Titanium Zirconium (TiZr) Alloys for Use in Endosseous Dental Implants

Abstract

Dental implants made from binary titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloys have shown promise as a high strength, yet biocompatible alternative to pure titanium, particularly for applications requiring small diameter implants. The aim of this review is to summarize existing literature reporting on the use of binary TiZr alloys for endosseous dental implant applications as tested in vitro, in animals and clinically. And furthermore to show that TiZr is “at least as good as” pure titanium in terms of biocompatibility and osseointergration. From the twelve papers that met the inclusion criteria, the current literature confirms that TiZr alloys produce small diameter implants with a strength up to 40% higher than conventional, cold-worked, grade IV titanium implants, and with a corrosion resistance and biocompatibility that is at least as good as pure titanium. The surface structure of TiZr is compatible with established surface treatments proven to aid in the osseointegration of titanium implants. Furthermore, binary TiZr alloys have been shown to achieve good osseointegration and high success rates both in animal and in clinical studies.

Sandblasted and Acid-Etched Implant Surfaces With or Without High Surface Free Energy: Experimental and Clinical Background

“…Besides pure titanium, SLA surfaces can also be produced on other materials, such as titaniumzirconium alloys [ 13 ] and zirconium dioxide ceramics ( Fig. 9.2 ).…”

“…Ti; it has also been applied to some specifi c titanium alloys, such as one specifi c combination of titanium-zirconium alloy (TiZr [ 13 ]), or to oxide ceramics, such as zirconium dioxide (zirconia, ZrO 2 ; see Fig. 9.2 ).…”

Ti-SLActive and TiZr-SLActive Dental Implant Surfaces Promote Fast Osteoblast Differentiation

“…Taking all these results into account, it can be concluded that a faster autophagic process (24 h) triggered by contacts between the cells and Ti-or TiZr-based rough surfaces generates osteoblast maturation and differentiation with the involvement of PI3/Akt signalling pathway. Moreover, there is a debatable question on whether Ti or TiZr-alloy is superior as dental implant material [3,94]. Based on our results presented here, it can be claimed that, at least under in vitro conditions, both Ti-SLActive and TiZr-SLActive implant surfaces expressed a similar tendency of promoting fast osteoblast differentiation.…”

“…In terms of biocompatibility and osseointegration, Ti cp (commercially pure titanium) represents the golden standard in implant dentistry [3]. Since it has been shown that physicochemical properties (chemical composition, surface roughness, micro/nanotopography, wettability, surface charges, etc.)…”

Untitled

“…Titanium ubiquity is directly related to its chemical and mechanical properties. Anti-corrosive in biological fluid, high strength-to-weight ratio, and machinability are unrivaled qualities that lend titanium "the gold standard" title [66]. Although commercially pure Titanium (cpTi) has proven its clinical success, few alloys have been developed to compensate for its deficiencies.…”