Review of models for titanium as a foreign body.

A growing number of theories has evolved attempting to explain the process of dental implant failure. Titanium implants utilized outside of the mouth have exhibited breakdown through a foreign body reaction. Phenomena occurring in the body, such as passive dissolution, osteolysis and metallosis, have not been discussed relative to dental implants. The dental community must consider the full spectrum of implant interactions within the body to understand the differences and similarities within the mouth.