Dental implants may corrode and fail, Health Science Center study says

Patients faced with the decision of whether dental implants are right for them may have a few more things to consider, following a study conducted by one periodontic faculty member’s interprofessional research team.

The findings about titanium durability are prompting research into the dynamics of this popular dental restorative material. An article published in the Nov. 15 Materials Science Journal reveals the factors that cause implant corrosion, which is considered a trigger for peri-implantitis and implant failure. The findings show an acidic environment — most likely brought on by bacteria and inflammatory processes — caused the titanium’s surface to oxidize. The end result: severe implant discoloration, pitting and cracking.