Long-Term Results of Anodic and Thermal Oxidation Surface Modification on Titanium and Tantalum Implants

Tantalum and titanium are two of the most popular materials used in dental implants today. These materials are highly biocompatible, durable, and long-lasting, making them ideal for use in dental and maxillofacial implants. The ceramic oxide layer that covers the surface of titanium and tantalum implants (TiO2,TaO2) is formed through an electrochemical growth from the inside of the metal and subsequently altered through heat treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term survival of the oxide ceramic-coated titanium dental implants. The secondary purpose was to evaluate the production process and the cost of the coated tantalum and titanium implants, and to complete these retrospective investigations with the results of our previous work concerning the titanium oxide coating. The structural, physical, and chemical properties as well as the corrosion resistance of the Ti/TiO2 surface were investigated; XPS, SIMS, and XRD techniques were used. Patients who received tantalum oxide-coated (Ta/TaO2) dental implants, titanium oxide-coated (Ti/TiO2) dental implants, or titanium oxide-coated (Ti/TiO2) osteosynthesis plates for rehabilitation at the Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology, Semmelweis University between 1995 and 2005 were included in this retrospective study. Data collection was performed between June 2021 and December 2021. The cost of the tantalum implant was 25 times that of the titanium implant. Only 21 implants were inserted in 10 patients. The survival rate (min. 16 years) was 95%. Twelve patients with a total of sixty-four TiO2-coated implants were observed. The mean implant survival rate was 95%. Our conclusion was that, regardless of the shape of the implant, the Ti/TiO2 coating proved its excellent durability over the years. The "tantalum issue" is increasingly relevant nowadays, since instead of implants made of pure tantalum metal, implants with a porous tantalum surface have come to the fore.