AIM: Every metallic biomaterial has some interaction with surrounding tissues, and ion release occurs by dissolution, wearing or corrosion of the alloy. The aim of this paper was to revise the metal ion release from some metallic biomaterials, describing the ion/tissue interaction and the possible side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Treatments such as sand blasting and etching increases the amount of metallic ion release, but the surface coated with hydroxyapatite and the polishing decreases the ion release. When clinical signs of side effects to the biomaterial are present one should search its composition, do allergic tests and choose non-metallic biomaterials or biomaterials without the aggressor element. The researches about ion release should be frequent due to the use of new biomaterials.
Ion release; Corrosion; Biomaterials
