In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility of Ti–20Zr–3Mo–3Sn β-alloy for oral implantology

The development of new titanium alloys for dental implants aims to eliminate potentially cytotoxic elements while achieving mechanical properties compatible with bone, particularly a low elastic modulus. This study evaluates the in vitro biocompatibility and mechanical performance of a newly developed β-type Ti-20Zr-3Mo-3Sn (Ti2033) alloy, in comparison with Ti-14Zr and Ti-6Al-4V, two reference alloys used in oral implantology. Mechanical properties were assessed by tensile testing and hardness measurements, while biocompatibility was evaluated using MTT and wound healing assays on osteoblastic cells (Saos-2). Ti2033 exhibits a significantly reduced Young's modulus (52 GPa), nearly 50% that of the reference alloys, thereby improving mechanical compatibility with bone. Although its ultimate tensile strength (825 MPa) and hardness (300 HV) are slightly lower, Ti2033 shows good ductility (elongation at rupture: 10%). No cytotoxic effects were observed, and cellular viability and migration were comparable among the three alloys. These findings suggest that Ti2033 combines mechanical performance and biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for endosseous dental implant applications.