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Do ‘passive’ medical titanium surfaces deteriorate in service in the absence of wear?

This paper provides primary evidence that Ti implants deteriorate in the body without wear (through corrosion processes). Ti implant derivatives were mapped and correlated with the underlying tissue composition and demonstrated spectroscopically to be in forms that can promote inflammation. Such implants are used extensively in dentistry and to anchor craniofacial devices; failure is associated with chronic inflammation. Our findings challenge existing theories regarding the behaviour of biomedical Ti in “passive” environments, providing insight into the potential role of the modulation of peri-implant inflammatory outcomes by implant derivatives. Findings are informing clinicians (co-authors), mechanistic research and materials development.