Ecological footprint of biomaterials for implant dentistry: is the metal-free practice an eco-friendly shift?

Abstract

Abstract The enhanced aesthetic and biocompatibility features of ceramics over metals have been driven implant dentistry to a metal-free practice. In this sense, the aim of this study was to assess the sustainable potential of this migration. The main metallic and ceramic materials used in implant dentistry were evaluated through a comparison of the carbon footprint, embodied energy and water consumption related to their primary production and the mechanical properties. The materials evaluated were: alumina (Al2O3), yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP), stainless steel 316L (SS), cobalt chromium alloy (CoCr), commercially pure (cp-Ti) titanium and alpha-beta titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V). A dedicated software for environmental impact assessment providing a materials properties database was used in this analysis. The results showed that the primary production of ceramic materials tends to have a less significant impact compared with metallic materials, with lower values for the generation of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and embodied energy. These results indicate that the migration currently seen in implant dentistry from using metallic components to ceramic ones is positive from an environmental perspective.