Tissue pattern analyzed with µ-PIXE. The inexperienced line outlines the perimeter of the pattern. Titanium micro-particles seem as white objects inside the pattern. Magnified particulars illustrate micro-particles with various measurement and morphology. Credit score: Communications Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00756-3
Titanium micro-particles within the oral mucosa round dental implants are widespread. That is proven in a brand new examine from the College of Gothenburg and Uppsala College, which additionally recognized 14 genes that could be affected by these particles.
Registry knowledge point out that about 5% of all adults in Sweden have dental implants—and probably additionally titanium particles within the tissue surrounding the implants. In line with the researchers, there is no such thing as a cause for concern, however extra information is required.
“Titanium is a well-studied material that has been used for decades. It is biocompatible and safe, but our findings show that we need to better understand what happens to the micro-particles over time. Do they remain in the tissue or spread elsewhere in the body?” says Tord Berglundh, senior professor of periodontology at Sahlgrenska Academy, College of Gothenburg.
Earlier analysis has proven that titanium particles might happen in infected tissues round dental implants. The brand new examine, revealed in Communications Medication, confirmed that titanium micro-particles have been persistently discovered in any respect examined implants—even these with out indicators of irritation.
The researchers analyzed tissue samples from 21 sufferers with a number of adjoining implants. Samples have been taken each at wholesome implants and at implants affected by peri-implantitis, an inflammatory illness within the tissue across the implant. Every affected person thus served as their very own management. The density of particles diversified between sufferers, however not between websites with and with out peri-implantitis inside the similar affected person.
The analyses have been performed in collaboration with Uppsala College, the place researchers used a sophisticated technique known as µ-PIXE to map the distribution of titanium particles within the tissue samples.
“µ-PIXE is an extremely sensitive, non-destructive microscopy method providing information on the elemental composition of samples that, however, requires a particle accelerator. In Sweden, the Tandem Laboratory is unique in offering µ-PIXE measurements,” says Daniel Primetzhofer, director of the Tandem Laboratory and professor on the Division of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala College.
To make any such examine doable, the researchers needed to develop the present µ-PIXE system additional. Now a lot bigger pattern areas might be scanned and microparticles might be recognized routinely.
“µ-PIXE was well suited for this study, because its high sensitivity and spatial resolution enabled the efficient detection of the microscopic particles, while the high throughput ensured that we could collect data from a large population,” provides Gyula Nagy, second creator of the examine and former postdoc on the Division of Physics and Astronomy.
Affected genes
Peri-implantitis is a microbial biofilm-associated inflammatory illness round dental implants, with options much like these of periodontitis round tooth. The inflammatory course of is complicated and the ensuing destruction of supporting bone in peri-implantitis might result in lack of the implant.
“We observed that tissue samples with higher concentrations of titanium particles had an altered gene expression, especially genes related to inflammation and wound healing. We identified 14 such genes, but it is unclear whether the particles influence the local immune response or if the difference in gene expression reflects inter-individual variability in inflammatory conditions,” says Carlotta Dionigi, specialist in periodontology and researcher on the Division of Periodontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, College of Gothenburg.
The researchers suspect that titanium particles are launched in the course of the surgical set up process, when the screw-shaped implant is inserted into the ready canal within the alveolar bone. On this context, the remark of variations in micro-particle densities between numerous implant methods deserves consideration, because the floor construction of the implant might affect the deposition of micro-particles. That is now an necessary subject for continued analysis.
Extra info:
Carlotta Dionigi et al, Titanium micro-particles are generally present in gentle tissues surrounding dental implants, Communications Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00756-3
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Titanium microparticles prevalent in oral tissue round dental implants, examine exhibits (2025, April 9)
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