Recent Advancements in Metallic Drug-Eluting Implants

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Dental Materials

Background:

• Metallic drug-eluting implants are increasingly used in orthopedic and dental fields.
• They provide controlled drug release to prevent implant-associated infections.
• Conventional bare metal implants are being replaced by these advanced systems for sustained local therapeutic concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent trends in metallic drug-eluting implants.
• To examine various drug delivery systems used in these implants.
• To highlight the development of these implants over the past three years.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications from the last three years.
• Analysis of different types of drugs and agents incorporated into metallic implants.
• Categorization of drug-eluting implants based on loaded therapeutic agents.

Main Results:

• Metallic implants loaded with drugs demonstrate sustained and controlled release.
• Incorporated active molecules promote osteoconduction, angiogenesis, and modulate host response.
• Developed drug-eluting implants include those with anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, growth factors, and anti-resorptive drugs.

Conclusions:

• Metallic drug-eluting implants represent a significant advancement in orthopedic and dental applications.
• These implants offer multifaceted benefits beyond infection prevention, including tissue regeneration and modulated healing.
• Ongoing research focuses on diverse drug delivery systems and therapeutic agents for enhanced implant performance.