The aim of this study is to compare the release of titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr) into the tissue surrounding Ti- and ZrO₂-implants.

Methyl methacrylate embedded mini pig maxillae with 6 Ti-implants and 4 ZrO2-implants were analysed after 12-weeks of implantation. The spatial distribution of elemental Ti and Zr in maxillae near implants was assessed with laser ablation (LA)-inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry (MS). From each maxilla two bone slices adjacent to the implants were measured. The contents of Ti and Zr in these bone slices were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-optical emission spectrometry.

Increased intensity of Ti and Zr could be detected in bone tissues at a distance of 891±398 µm (mean ± SD) from Ti-implants and 927±404 µm from ZrO2-implants. The increased intensity was mainly detected near implant screw threads. The average Ti content detected in 11 bone slices from samples with Ti-implants was 1.67 mg/kg, which is significantly higher than the Ti content detected in 8 slices from samples with ZrO₂-implants. The highest Ti content detected was 2.17 mg/kg. The average Zr content in 4 bone slices from samples with ZrO₂-implants is 0.59 mg/Kg, the other 4 bone slices showed Zr contents below the detection limit (

After 12-weeks of implantation, increased intensity of Ti and Zr can be detected in bone tissues near Ti- and ZrO₂-implants. The results show that Ti content released from Ti-implants is higher than the Zr content released from ZrO₂-implants.