03 Dec The Titanium-Plated Future In Medicine

Medical research has experienced exponential growth since its inception. The average life expectancy has more than doubled since our pre-modern era due to the many technological and theoretical advancements.

Among these, perhaps surprisingly so, has been a metallic element from the periodic table. New research continuously pinpoints more medical uses of titanium, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

Element Number 22

Titanium has an important role in medical research. Its wide popularity has to do with its biocompatibility with the human body – it binds better and lasts longer when placed inside of our bodies, it’s non-corrosive, and very few people have allergic reactions to it. Not only that, but the use of a titanium sheet in medical innovation is largely affordable, widely available, and has a variety of uses. Because of this, it’s being turned to more and more for medical implants and procedures.

Titanium is already the most widely used metal in implants, but it’s seeing a surge of interest from other industries as well. The aerospace industry uses titanium in their aircraft, the dental industry uses titanium in dental implants, and because of its water resistance, has found a home in the marine industry as well.

The Metal of Medicine

Titanium is used in the human body from the head, such as hearing aids, to the toes, such as prosthetic legs. Recent research has been proposed for more widespread use of titanium in wheelchairs and surgical tools, such as retractors, scissors, and Lasik eye surgery equipment. Titanium’s most popular use, however, has been its synergistic properties with bone replacement and prosthetics.

Biocompatibility is important for a number of reasons. Titanium is the choice metal for bodily interaction because of the way it interacts with the host’s body. Generally speaking, foreign substances implanted into the human body are quickly targeted and attacked by the host’s immune system. Bones also tend to be picky with bonding; many previous materials such as steel required adhesives to stick to the bone. Titanium, however, has an advantage in both of these aspects as it proceeds unbothered by the immune system and is able to completely fuse with bones.

Titanium’s vast array of uses in medical science, as well as other fields, points toward our civilization heading into a titanium-rich future. The metal is used in a wide variety of industries, in a wide variety of applications, and will continue to used as such moving into the future. Undoubtedly we will see a rise in titanium applications in the medical field and beyond.

Last Updated on December 3, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD