Evaluation of metal concentrations in hair and nails after dental implant placement.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The accumulation of the elements contained in Ti6Al4V, the mostly used titanium alloy for dental implants, in epithelial extensions requires investigation. Studies evaluating the metals in dental implants in the hair and nails of patients with dental implants are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical research was to measure the levels of titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), and vanadium (V) in the hair and nails of patients treated with grade 5 Ti alloy dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ti, Al, and V elemental levels in the hair and nail samples of 33 participants treated with grade 5 Ti alloy dental implants were measured by using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The results revealed a statistically significant increase in the amount of Ti in nail samples after implant surgery (P=.01), but no statistically significant increases in the amounts of Al or V in nail samples (P=.48, P=.645). In hair samples, the increase in Ti, Al, and V was not statistically significant (P=.728, P=.221, P=.376). The correlation between the amount of change in the elements in implants and the contact areas was weak for hair (Al, r=0.114; Ti, r=0.361; V, r=0.377) and for nails (Al, r=0.127; Ti, r=0.116; V, r=0.058). CONCLUSIONS: After the placement of dental implants made of grade 5 Ti alloy, minimal Al and V accumulated in hair and nails.