Rare Earth Element Coatings on Titanium Dental Implants for Osseointegration and Peri-implantitis Prevention: A...

This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of rare earth element (REE) coatings on titanium implants in promoting osseointegration and reducing the risk of peri-implantitis, thereby enhancing overall implant performance.

A comprehensive literature search was performed across four major databases-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar-to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2024. In addition, gray literature and reference lists of selected articles were manually screened to ensure thorough coverage. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and was structured based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) framework. The population included patients with titanium-based endosseous implants; the intervention comprised rare earth metal derivative coatings on titanium surfaces; the comparison group involved uncoated or conventionally coated titanium implants; and the outcomes focused on evaluating whether REE coatings enhance osseointegration and/or reduce the incidence of peri-implantitis. Data extraction encompassed details such as the author, year of publication, country of origin, study design, sample size, type of REE utilized, coating method, control groups, follow-up duration, and reported outcomes. These outcomes included cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, gene expression, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and implant failure. To evaluate methodological quality, the QUIN tool was employed for in vitro studies (n = 14), while the SYRCLE risk of bias (RoB) tool was used for in vivo studies (n = 2).

A total of 628 studies were initially identified, with 339 remaining after duplicate removal. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 16 studies were included. Cerium was the most commonly studied REE, followed by samarium, yttrium, europium, and lanthanum. Coating techniques varied and included spin coating, plasma spraying, and hydrothermal methods. Eleven studies evaluated osseointegration through assays such as cell proliferation, ALP activity, and micro-CT imaging, demonstrating improved osteogenic responses and early bone formation. With respect to peri-implantitis, REE coatings-especially cerium and europium-exhibited strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, including reduced bacterial adhesion, inhibition of biofilm formation, and downregulation of inflammatory cytokines [TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β], indicating potential in peri-implant disease prevention. Risk of bias assessment indicated low risk in most in vitro studies (n = 14) and both in vivo studies (n = 2).

This systematic review concludes that REE coatings on titanium implants enhance osseointegration and exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the prevention of peri-implantitis. These findings support the potential of REE coatings as a promising surface modification strategy to improve implant integration and longevity.

The use of REE coatings presents a novel approach in implant surface modification, offering dual benefits of enhanced bone integration and infection control. The translational value of this evidence suggests that REE-coated titanium implants could improve clinical outcomes by promoting early osseointegration, reducing peri-implant disease incidence, and ultimately increasing long-term implant success in dental and orthopedic applications. How to cite this article: Suresh N, Kaarthikeyan G, Chellappa LR, et al. Rare Earth Element Coatings on Titanium Dental Implants for Osseointegration and Peri-implantitis Prevention: A Systematic Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):912-923.