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. 2022 Oct 21:2022:4498613.
doi: 10.1155/2022/4498613. eCollection 2022.

Bio-Tribocorrosion of Titanium Dental Implants and Its Toxicological Implications: A Scoping Review

Sumit Gaur  1   2 , Rupali Agnihotri  2   3 , Sacharia Albin  4
Affiliations

Bio-Tribocorrosion of Titanium Dental Implants and Its Toxicological Implications: A Scoping Review

Sumit Gaur et al. ScientificWorldJournal. .

Abstract

Bio-tribocorrosion is a phenomenon that combines the essentials of tribology (friction, wear, and lubrication) and corrosion with microbiological processes. Lately, it has gained attention in implant dentistry because dental implants are exposed to wear, friction, and biofilm formation in the corrosive oral environment. They may degrade upon exposure to various microbial, biochemical, and electrochemical factors in the oral cavity. The mechanical movement of the implant components produces friction and wear that facilitates the release of metal ions, promoting adverse oro-systemic reactions. This review describes the bio-tribocorrosion of the titanium (Ti) dental implants in the oral cavity and its toxicological implications. The original research related to the bio-tribo or tribocorrosion of the dental implants was searched in electronic databases like Medline (Pubmed), Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. About 34 studies included in the review showed that factors like the type of Ti, oral biofilm, acidic pH, fluorides, and micromovements during mastication promote bio-tribocorrosion of the Ti dental implants. Among the various grades of Ti, grade V, i.e., Ti6Al4V alloy, is most susceptible to tribocorrosion. Oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis produce acids and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that cause pitting corrosion and degrade the TiO2. The low pH and high fluoride concentration in saliva hinder passive film formation and promote metal corrosion. The released metal ions promote inflammatory reactions and bone destruction in the surrounding tissues resulting in peri-implantitis, allergies, and hyper-sensitivity reactions. However, further validation of the role of bio-tribocorrosion on the durability of the Ti dental implants and Ti toxicity is warranted through clinical trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evidence search for bio-tribocorrosion of dental implants and its toxic implications.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Factors responsible for bio-tribocorrosion of dental implants in oral cavity. (a) Laboratory setup of the tribocorrosion system. (b) Bio-tribocorrosion of dental implants in the oral cavity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structural changes in Ti surface following Tribocorrosion testing. (a) Ti surface before tribocorrosion testing. (b) Ti surface during sliding corrosion test. (c) Ti surface after sliding corrosion test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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