Titanium dental implant-related pathologies: A retrospective histopathological study

Objectives To perform a retrospective, descriptive, histopathological study of peri-implant tissue pathologies associated with titanium dental implants (TDI), and to evaluate the presence of metallic particles in samples from a single diagnostic center. Methods Sixty-eight cases of TDI-associated lesions were retrieved from the Surgical Pathology Laboratory archives, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires (UBA) (1990-2018). The study included re-examining the histopathological features of the biopsy samples, analyzing the inflammatory infiltrate, and examining the samples to detect metallic particles whose chemical composition was determined spectrophotometrically (EDS). Available clinical and radiographic data were also reviewed. Results The retrieved cases ranged from lesions of inflammatory origin to neoplastic lesions. Metallic particles were observed in 36 cases (52.9%), all of which showed inflammation. Particle length ranged from 2 to 85 mu m. EDS analysis of the particles/deposits observed in the tissues showed the presence of aluminum, titanium, iron, and nickel, among other elements. Conclusions A significant number of TDI-associated lesions, including cases not reported to date and diagnosed at a single diagnostic center, are shown here. Cases showing particles exhibited an inflammatory response, irrespective of the histopathological diagnosis. The role of metallic particles in the development of TDI-associated lesion is yet to be established.

Automated summary

This descriptive histopathological study reviewed 68 cases of peri-implant tissue pathologies associated with titanium dental implants at the School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires from 1990 to 2018. A significant number of cases showed the presence of metallic particles, predominantly containing aluminum, titanium, iron, and nickel. The role of metallic particles in the development of these lesions remains unclear.