The Trends of TiZr Alloy Research as a Viable Alternative for Ti and Ti16 Zr Roxolid Dental Implants

Abstract

Despite many discussions about Ti versus Zr, Ti remains the golden standard for dental implants. With the extended use of implants, their rejection in peri-implantitis due to material properties is going to be an important part of oral health problems. Extended use of implants leading to a statistical increase in implant rejection associated with peri-implantitis raises concerns in selecting better implant materials. In this context, starting in the last decade, investigation and use of TiZr alloys as alternatives for Ti in oral dentistry became increasingly more viable. Based on existing new results for Ti16Zr (Roxolid) implants and Ti50Zr alloy behaviour in oral environments, this paper presents the trends of research concerning the electrochemical stability, mechanical, and biological properties of this alloy with treated and untreated surfaces. The surface treatments were mostly performed by anodizing the alloy in various conditions as a non-sophisticated and cheap procedure, leading to nanostructures such as nanopores and nanotubes. The drug loading and release from nanostructured Ti50Zr as an important perspective in oral implant applications is discussed and promoted as well.

Surface properties and biocompatibility of sandblasted and acid-etched titanium–zirconium binary alloys with various compositions

“…Although higher hydrophilic surfaces were reported to be better for interacting with biological fluids, cells, and tissues 27) , our results showed the opposite trend that the attached cell density was smaller on the surface of higher hydrophilic Ti-50Zr than on lower hydrophilic c.p.Ti, Ti-10Zr, and Ti-30Zr. It was found that higher hydrophilicity and larger roughness may attract more tissue fluid to increase osteogenic cell migration onto materials 28) . However, less cell attachment on Ti-50Zr suggested that the impact of roughness outweighed that of hydrophilicity because Ti-50Zr alloy exhibited higher hydrophilicity but lower roughness.…”

Surface Modification of Biomedical Ti and Ti Alloys: A Review on Current Advances

“…Chen et al [ 90 ] used induction heating combined with alkali treatment to prepare a stable layered micro-nanoporous network structure on the surface of Ti, resulting in a more uniform coating surface with a higher number of pores, and improved roughness, wettability, and bonding strength with the matrix, as well as significantly improved in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility properties. Manole et al [ 91 , 92 ] deposited n-type semiconducting TiO 2 nanowires onto a Ti-50Zr surface by electrostatic spinning and improved the hydrophilic and corrosion behavior of the alloy surface whilst avoiding significant inflammatory processes. The protection efficiency of the coatings remained greater than 51%.…”

Sustainable Coatings on Metallic Alloys as a Nowadays Challenge

“…There are several alloys with low density, resistance to corrosion, and reduced ion release in a large number of environments, as well as good mechanical behavior for a large temperature domain. These properties recommend alloys such as stainless steel, CoCr, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys, also depending on other factors, namely, thermal and electrical properties, wear, stability, and processing costs, to be used in various industrial applications and the medical field [43][44][45][46][47][48].…”