Last year, the technical committee for dentistry of the International Organization for Standardization held its 50th meeting in Berlin, Germany. Independent experts from all over the world gathered to discuss new standards for dental implants, among other oral health care issues.
Dental Tribune ONLINE interviewed Dr. Jean-Paul Davidas, who is the oldest practicing dental implantologist in Europe, to learn about the latest developments in the field.
Dr. Davidas discussed a number of innovations for implant standards. In particular, the committee, which is composed of independent experts from over 30 countries, has set out to investigate ion release from metal dental implants.
Titanium implants have been routinely used for dental work. However, such implants can corrode and degrade, thereby releasing ions. There is concern that metal degradation products from these implants could have harmful effects on the patient over a period. The committee is developing new standards to evaluate these possible problems.
Ion release can be very dangerous with regard to immuno-toxicology. It can cause serious systemic diseases in the brain, lungs and kidneys, as well as cancer. Although we cannot determine the exact long-term consequences yet, we know already that corrosion and ion release from metal implants is dangerous for human health.
If it turns out that the use of metal implants is too dangerous there are alternative ways to protect patients. For instance, we could stop using metal implants and use alternatives such as zirconia.
What the committee is working on is a worldwide standard that can be achieved by any company in the world and be safe for the patients.
by Claudia Duscheck, DTI
Sep 25, 2014/ News Europe
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