Development and Applications of Porous Tantalum Trabecular Metal-Enhanced Titanium Dental Implants

BackgroundPorous tantalum trabecular metal has recently been incorporated in titanium dental implants as a new form of implant surface enhancement. However, there is little information on the applications of this material in implant dentistry. PurposeThe purpose of this article is to summarize the contemporary concept on the applications of porous tantalum trabecular metal in implant dentistry. Materials and MethodsWe therefore review the current literature on the basic science and clinical uses of this material. ResultsPorous tantalum metal is used to improve the contact between osseous structure and dental implants and therefore presumably facilitate osseointegration. Success of porous tantalum metal in orthopedic implants led to the incorporation of porous tantalum metal in the design of root-form endosseous titanium implants. The porous tantalum three-dimensional enhancement of titanium dental implant surface allows for combining bone ongrowth together with bone ingrowth, or osseoincorporation. While little is known about the biological aspect of the porous tantalum in the oral cavity, there seems to be several possible advantages of this implant design. This article reviews the biological aspects of porous tantalum-enhanced titanium dental implants, in particular the effects of anatomical consideration and oral environment to implant designs. ConclusionsWe propose here possible clinical situations and applications for this type of dental implant. Advantages and disadvantages of the implants as well as needed future clinical studies are discussed.