Titanium

Titanium is the material of choice for dental and orthopaedic implants because of its unique properties: biocompatibility, strength, corrosion resistance, lightweight, and — critically — the ability to osseointegrate with living bone.

Grades used in dentistry

• Grade 4 (commercially pure titanium): Highest biocompatibility, used for most implant fixtures. Slightly less strong than alloys.
• Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V alloy): Contains 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium — significantly stronger than pure titanium. Used for components requiring higher strength such as abutment screws and some implant designs.

Surface technology

Modern implant surfaces are micro-roughened to increase surface area and promote osseointegration. Common surface treatments include SLA (sandblasted large grit, acid-etched), oxidised surfaces, and hydrophilic modifications. These technologies have significantly improved integration speed and reliability over smooth-surfaced implants.

Titanium allergy

True titanium allergy is extremely rare — estimated at less than 0.6% of the population. The vast majority of people describing "metal sensitivity" are reacting to other metals (notably nickel). If you have genuine concerns, patch testing can be arranged before treatment. Zirconia implants are an alternative for confirmed cases.

Corrosion

Titanium forms a stable oxide layer on its surface that prevents corrosion and contributes to its biocompatibility. It remains biologically stable in the body indefinitely.