Titanium is a commonly used inert bio-implant material within the medical and dental fields. It is one of the most widely used materials for dental implants due to its mechanical strength and a long history of use. Current titanium is thought to be safe but in some cases, there are reports of problems caused by titanium.
There is no known biological role for titanium. In most of these problematic reports, only individual reports are dominant and comprehensive reporting has not been performed. Cause of these implant failures can be poor oral hygiene, uncontrolled deposition of plaque, and calculus around the implant which cause peri-implantitis or occlusal problems.
Titanium is commonly used in industrial applications such as coatings for pharmaceuticals, processing materials for gum and confections, food additives, and paints. It is also used in manufacturing associated with packing, milling and is used in the cleaning industry so titanium ends up in your food and water supply. In the medical field, titanium and titanium alloys have been used to fabricate various implantation and fixation systems. Many metal products have titanium added to increase strength.
With the widespread use of titanium, there are concerns regarding the adverse effects of titanium accumulation and its effects on the human body. Therefore, stability and potential hazards of it should also be evaluated and discussed.
It is not considered a toxic metal but it is a heavy metal and it does have serious negative health effects. Titanium has the ability to affect lung function causing lung diseases such as pleural disease, it can cause chest pain with tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, irritation of the skin or eyes. It is carcinogenic and may also cause cancer.
Symptoms of titanium toxicity
Symptoms associated with titanium vary depending on the amount you are currently exposed to, here are some of the more common symptoms:
- Lung diseases
- Skin diseases (Eczema)
- Sinus congestion
- Cancer
- Vision problems
- Sexual weakness (Premature ejacul*tion)
- Bright’s disease (a disease involving chronic inflammation of the kidneys)
- Lupus (any of various diseases or conditions marked by inflammation of the skin)
Additional symptoms of titanium toxicity
Titanium has the ability to interact with the essential mineral silica, therefore signs and/or symptoms of silica deficiency can be an indication of a titanium excess.
It’s important to understand that vitamin & mineral supplementation can NOT resolve titanium toxicity and may cover up symptoms leading to bigger problems. Detoxification of titanium is essential to properly restoring vitamin and mineral imbalances.
Silica deficiency – soft or brittle nails, premature wrinkles, thinning or loss of hair, poor bone development and osteoporosis can all be indications of titanium toxicity.
Titanium toxicity & genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed to titanium toxicity. This is because certain genes belonging to liver detoxification pathways that normally deal with titanium detoxification have been deleted. In these cases, a genetics test can confirm and a specialized nutritional program can help the individual detoxify barium.
