Migration of titanium dioxide microparticles and nanoparticles through the body and deposition in the gingiva: an experimental study in rats

Abstract

The aim of this experimental work was to evaluate deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) microparticles and nanoparticles, which could originate from titanium bioimplants, in the gingiva. Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a suspension of TiO2 particles of different sizes (150, 10, or 5 nm). The rats were killed 12 months post-injection, and the buccal and lingual gingivae were resected and evaluated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to confirm the presence of titanium in deposits of microparticles and nanoparticles, and the concentration of titanium in tissues was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Histological examination showed that all experimental groups exhibited agglomerates, in the gingiva, of titanium particles of micrometer size range, with no associated inflammatory response. Higher concentrations of titanium traces were shown, by ICP-MS, in both buccal and lingual tissues of all experimental groups compared with their matched controls. Titanium concentrations were significantly higher in the buccal gingiva than in the lingual gingiva, and after injection with 5-nm particles than with 10-nm particles in both localizations. Titanium microparticles and nanoparticles deposit in the gingiva, and mostly on the buccal side. Gingival deposition of titanium could be considered a tissue indicator of tribocorrosion processes of titanium bioimplants.

Biokinetics and tissue response to ultrananocrystalline diamond nanoparticles employed as coating for biomedical devices

“…Hence, it is evident that NP agglomeration size and surface reactivity must be taken into account when considering health matters . In this context, in a previous study on gingival tissue we found that the agglomerates of particles in the micro‐size range did not cause an inflammatory reaction . Similar results were observed in lung and kidney tissue samples in the present study.…”

“…Specifically, metallic titanium implants are a potential source of release of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) into the bioenvironment . It is well known that NPs have a greater surface‐to‐volume ratio than MPs, and are therefore biologically more reactive and potentially more harmful to human health …”

“…2 Specifically, metallic titanium implants are a potential source of release of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) into the bioenvironment. [3][4][5][6][7] It is well known that NPs have a greater surface-to-volume ratio than MPs, and are therefore biologically more reactive and potentially more harmful to human health. 6,8 With the aims to optimize implant biocompatibility, improving osseointegration and reducing the likelihood of biotribocorrosion by preventing or limiting the release of MPs and NPs into the biological milieu, a number of coatings and micro-and nanostructured surfaces have been developed, and their properties are evaluated using different biological parameters.…”

What is the impact of titanium particles and biocorrosion on implant survival and complications? A critical review

“…In patients with dental implants, their origin has been assumed to be the implants. After injecting male Wistar rats intraperitoneally with a suspension of TiO 2 particles (1.6 g/1,000 g body weight) of different sizes (5 nm, 10 nm, 150 nm), specimens of gingival tissue exhibited agglomerates of nanoparticles, with a predilection on the buccal side (Guglielmotti et al, 2015). In an animal experiment (Schliephake, Reiss, Urban, Neukam, & Guckel, 1993), traces of titanium were found 5 months after implant placement in tissue specimens of lungs, kidneys, and liver.…”

“…In contrast, a study showed that titanium ions at concentration between 1 and 9 ppm did not affect the viability of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and gingival epithelial cells . Nanoparticles were described as more biologically reactive and more potentially harmful than microparticles because of their greater surface-tovolume ratio (Guglielmotti et al, 2015). Pettersson et al (2017) showed that titanium particles generate a pro-inflammatory response in macrophages.…”