Titanium and titanium alloys as dental materials.

Because of light weight, high strength to weight ratio, low modulus of elasticity, and excellent corrosion resistance, titanium and some of its alloys have been important materials for the aerospace industry since the 1950s. Now, with the additional advantages of excellent biocompatibility, good local spot weldability, and easy shaping and finishing by a number of mechanical and electrochemical processes, these materials are finding uses in dental applications, such as implants and restorative castings. Although more research is still needed in areas such as development of optimal casting investments, porcelain veneering systems, device designs, and controlled biological responses, the present and future uses of titanium appear bright for dentistry.