Important note:

Below you can find different examples of inorganic and organic implant pollution. 

We do not intend to publish the name of the implant manufacturer(s) or type of these analyzed implants for three reasons: 

First of all some implant companies already tried to threaten us with steps of legal action after we informed them about the scientific results of single sample SEM / EDX analysis. 

Second we prefer to concentrate our energy and resources into building a stage for companies who care for their quality and for products that deserve our trust. 

And last but not least it is not our intention to stigmatize specific manufacturers as there is always a chance for improvement in the manufacturing of dental implants.    

Examples of Implant Residues

Single organic particles (1-5 particles) were found on many implants. Clinical effects of these isolated particles can be considered as negligible. 

However, a significant number of implants showed a systematic distribution pattern of organic particles i.e. mainly on the outer threads of the implant or on the shoulder area. In the material contrast SEM images  these particles appear dark in comparison to titanium or zirconium (see below).

Massive organic pollution on titanium implants (above).

A zironium made implant showed indentations of 20-100 µm filled with organic material (below).

Two samples showed traces of carbon and fluorine in the elemental spot analysis of  fibres (5-50 µm). These fibres are probably remnants of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) originating from teflon coated baskets used during the production process.

Significant signals of iron <Fe>, chromium <Cr> and nickel <Ni> in the elemental spot analysis of particles (20-50 µm) on this implant may be a hint for recycled or polluted blasting material containing particles of stainless steel (see below).

Some particles (1-5 µm) showed clear fingerprints of copper < Cu > and tin < Sn> in the elemental analysis as seen in the images below. These metal particles appear bright in the material contrast SEM image and are each embedded in larger organic contaminants (30-100 µm). 

Surprisingly traces of antimony  and tungsten  were found in the EDX analysis of sterile packed implants. 

Antimony < Sb > particles
(bright) embedded in organic pollution (dark)

Tungsten  < W > particles (bright) probably originated from CNC-machining tools
embedded in organic matrix (dark)