Spectrometric Analysis of Material Residue From Wear During Implant Insertion

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the process of material residue due to wear from dental implants at the time of insertion.
Methods: X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and an in vitro insertion protocol were utilized. Five groups of implants were analyzed: Groups 1-4 (Ti-implants: Astra, Nobel Active, Nobel Replace, Straumann Bone Level) and group 5 (Zirconia implants). A bovine bone block (type I) without implant insertion was utilized as a control. Three implants per group were inserted into two bovine bone blocks held together by a vice. The blocks were then separated in two parts, and insertion sites were analyzed using XRF spectrometry for titanium and zirconium elements in the coronal, middle and apical bone interface (n=18 per group). Global counting was calculated. Descriptive analysis of the amount of titanium and zirconium ppm levels per implant system group was performed. Analysis of Variance and Tukey HSD were completed to compare differences between groups.
Results: The produced material residue differed among groups being higher for groups 1, 2, and 3 and lower for group 4 (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups 3 and 4 as well as 2 and 3. Group-5 implants did not show significant zirconium accumulation compared to controls.
group 1 (Astra): 2,003.89±817.77
group 2 (Nobel Active): 1,406.72±590.54
group 3 (Nobel Replace Select): 1,063.22±383.49
group 4 (Straumann, Bone Level): 689.11±452.30
group 5 (Zeramex): 155.11±25.61
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that metal residue due to wear from dental implants may occur as early as the time of initial insertion in dense bone and will be different depending on the implant system. The zirconia implants produced lower residue compared to titanium implants.