Titanium Particles Released from Dental Implants Under Fluoride Exposure Interact with Macrophages

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Implantology
• Immunology

Background:

• Ti6Al4V dental implants are widely used.
• Surface properties influence implant performance.
• Particle release and subsequent biological responses are critical concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of fluoride and pH on titanium particle release from Ti6Al4V dental implants.
• To correlate particle size with macrophage uptake and inflammatory cytokine expression.
• To understand the mechanisms of peri-implant inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Immersion of Ti6Al4V implants in solutions with varying fluoride concentrations and pH.
• Scanning electron microscopy for surface analysis.
• Analysis of immersion solutions for titanium particle size and concentration.
• Assessment of macrophage uptake and expression of IL-1β and IL-8.

Main Results:

• High fluoride and acidity led to microparticle release (up to 4551.7 nm).
• Low fluoride, neutral, and alkaline conditions resulted in nanoparticle release (431.2–484.5 nm).
• Macrophages showed increased nanoparticle uptake without membrane damage and elevated IL-1β and IL-8 expression.

Conclusions:

• Fluoride and pH are key factors influencing titanium particle release from dental implants.
• Released nanoparticles are readily taken up by macrophages, triggering inflammatory responses.
• These inflammatory responses may disrupt osteoblast-osteoclast balance, leading to implant osseointegration failure.