Osseointegrated Titanium Implants

The permanent implantation of materials in bone has long been a goal of the dental and medical pro-fessions. Many needs have arisen for the anchored support of joint, intraoral, and extraoral prosthe-ses. Most research attempts to define the perfect biomaterial for long-term implantation have failed, primarily due to their inability to achieve a "permanent" bonding of the implant to the bone itself without an intervening soft tissue or fibrous layer. Such a fibrous layer invariably leads to loosening and extrusion of the implant. Further advancement in techniques for the future in the bioengineering of bone and joint replacements rests with the success of investigations in finding the ideal bonding material for bone.