Titanium is a good choice of metal material in the medical industry. It`s used for surgical instruments, prosthetics, internal fixations and inner body devices – such as pacemakers, joint replacements, and spinal fusion cages. But what makes it such a good choice?
1.Strong But Light Weight: Titanium's high-strength to low-density ratio is one of the main advantages.Titanium is equally as strong as steel but is 45% lighter – making titanium an ideal metal material for surgical implants. Titanium demonstrates high strength when put under repeated stress and can withstand the strain of internal fixation.
2.Durable And Long-lasting: Orthopedic implants made from titanium generally last longer than other metallic implants and require higher forces to break the bonds joining the implant to the bone. Titanium is also incredibly durable and long-lasting. When titanium implants, cages, rods, plates and pins are inserted into the body, they can last for upwards of 20 years. And dental titanium, such as titanium posts and implants, can last even longer.
3.Biocompatible (corrosion resistance, non-toxic AND not rejected by the body):
Titanium provides outstanding corrosion resistance in formidable circumstances. Most importantly, titanium is inert and immune to body fluid and tissue. These are the so-called biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. They are key requirements for medical applications.
4.Osseointegrated (the joining of bone with artificial implant): Titanium has an innate ability to physically bond/join with human bone.This anchors titanium dental or orthopedic implant firmly in place. Titanium is one of the only metals that allows for this osseointegration.
5.Non-ferromagnetic: When it comes to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) examinations, titanium provides the benefit of non-ferromagnetism. Titanium doesn't interfere with the MRI machines and allows patients to be examined correctly and safely.
6.The elastic modulus value of titanium is only half of conventional stainless steel and cobalt-alloy. It is much closer to human bone. Its flexibility and elasticity rivals that of human bone.
7.Also, titanium has low thermal expansion and conductivity.
Couple with so many features and benefits, it's no wonder titanium has become the fundamental material in orthopedics titanium implants, dental titanium implants, and surgical titanium instrument fields.
