Why Grade 4 Titanium Is the Ideal Choice for Dental Implants
Material selection is fundamental in dental implant design. Mesa Italia chose Grade 4 Titanium for the IGEA implant system: a precise technical decision, driven by decades of metallurgical expertise since 1975.
Grade 4 vs Grade 5 Titanium: Key Differences
Commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) is classified in grades 1 through 4, where Grade 4 is the strongest among pure titanium types. Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is instead an alloy containing aluminium and vanadium.
| Property | Grade 4 (cp-Ti) | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure titanium (99.0%+) | Ti alloy + 6% Al + 4% V |
| Tensile strength | 550 MPa | 860 MPa |
| Biocompatibility | Excellent (no alloying elements) | Good (Al and V present) |
| Osseointegration | Superior | Good |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent | Very good |
| Elastic modulus | 105 GPa | 110 GPa |
Why Mesa Italia Chooses Grade 4
The decision to use Grade 4 Titanium for the IGEA system is based on three key factors:
1. Superior Biocompatibility
Grade 4 Titanium is commercially pure titanium, free from alloying elements such as aluminium and vanadium found in Grade 5. This results in an optimal biological response from peri-implant tissues and reduced risk of adverse reactions.
2. Enhanced Osseointegration
The material purity, combined with Mesa Italia’s proprietary SLA surface treatment (Sandblasted Large-grit Acid-etched), promotes osteoblastic cell differentiation. The result is rapid, long-term stable osseointegration, confirmed by a cumulative survival rate of 99.97% across more than 20,000 implants placed over 4 years.
3. Adequate Mechanical Strength
While Grade 5 offers higher tensile strength, Grade 4 provides more than sufficient mechanical properties for implant applications. The hybrid cylindrical-conical design of the IGEA system compensates for any mechanical difference through optimal distribution of masticatory forces.
The SLA Surface: Essential Complement
Grade 4 Titanium reaches its full potential when combined with an appropriate surface treatment. Mesa Italia’s SLA surface involves:
- Large-grit sandblasting: creates macro-roughness for mechanical anchorage
- Acid etching: generates micro-roughness that promotes cell adhesion
This combination maximises bone-implant contact (BIC) and accelerates the healing process.
Certifications and Standards
All IGEA implants in Grade 4 Titanium are manufactured in-house at the Mesa Italia facility in Travagliato (Brescia, Italy), with:
- UNI CEI EN ISO 13485 certification (Medical Device Quality System)
- CE/MDR compliance (European Medical Device Regulation)
- Full traceability via GS1 DataMatrix
- MDSAP certification (Medical Device Single Audit Program)
Conclusion
The choice of Grade 4 Titanium for the IGEA system represents the ideal balance between biocompatibility, osseointegration, and mechanical strength. A material that, combined with the SLA surface and the patented 12-degree conical connection with internal hexagon design, makes the IGEA system a benchmark for Made in Italy implantology.
Mesa Italia — 100% Made in Italy since 1975. ISO 13485 | CE/MDR | GS1/UDI | 75+ countries worldwide.