Wear and biological safety of dental titanium implants

Implant dentistry with a globally market of CHF 4.5 billion in 2018¹ has shown a steady increase over the last few years. Titanium implant is the most widely accepted and successfully used type of dental implant. Despite a high success rate, failures associate with toxicity of particles release from implant system via wear have been reported^2,3. Excess wear may lead to several problems including loss of fine metal particles that may be cytotoxic to the oral environment, loss of occlusal contact, destruction of periodontal tissues, loss of masticatory efficiency, fatigue of masticatory muscles and the failure of implant. Therefore, understanding the wear mechanism and characteristic of dental titanium implant is extremely important.

This PhD research project aims to conduct an in vitro evaluation to study the wear mechanism and biological safety of a series of lab developed Titanium dental implant and ultimately develop affordable, biologically safe implants with friendly wear. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn how dental implants including 3D printed Ti₆Al₄V₃ are designed, optimised and manufactured; characterise the mechanical properties and corrosion characteristic of dental implants, conduct wear simulation using a SD Mechatronik chewing simulator, monitor and quantify wear, and investigate the biological safety including cytotoxicity and bone formation. A range of the state-of-the-art techniques including Profilometer, Confocal Microscopy, Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB SEM), Bruker Hysitron NanoDMA, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), high performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) will be used.

The successful candidate will have access to the world-class characterisation facilities within the Henry Royce Institute at the University of Manchester, Doctoral Academy Training Programme and opportunities to participate and lead outreach activities. The candidate will have the opportunity to visit the global partner Prof. Kaushik Chatterjee of this project at the Indian Institution of Science (IISc), one of the best research institutions in India.

¹Decision Resource Group 2017-18, iData 2017 and Straumann bottom up estimates in 70 countries.

²What is the impact of titanium particles and biocorrosion on implant survival and complications? A critical review. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2018; 29(Suppl 18):37–53.

³Foreign body reactions, marginal bone loss and allergies in relation to titanium implants. Eur J Oral Implantol. 2018; 11(Suppl 1):S37–46.

Entry Requirements

Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area / subject. Candidates with experience in Materials Science preferably in metal/metal alloys or with an interest in dental biomaterials are encouraged to apply. 

How To Apply

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select the appropriate subject title.

For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/”