Electrical Stimulation enhances Antimicrobial Effect against bacterial biofilm in Titanium Implants: Study

A new study published in the Journal of Oral Biosciences showed that electrical stimulation (ES) applied to titanium or titanium-based implants provides antimicrobial action against bacterial biofilms, with effectiveness influenced by the level of applied tension. Combining ES with antimicrobials shows a stronger effect than using ES alone.

Because of its exceptional biocompatibility, great mechanical strength, and resistance to corrosion, titanium and its alloys are used to make implants for dental and medical applications. Infections linked to implants, however, continue to be a leading cause of treatment failure. Planktonic bacteria adhere to the surface of the implant and form a biofilm, which is the first step in these infections.

The two most popular methods of treating infections are surgery and the use of medications. However, the number of effective antibiotics available on the market is declining, and biofilms are becoming more and more resistant to antimicrobials. Many illnesses and impairments are treated using ES.

Furthermore, among other things, ES is being researched for the treatment of wounds, pain management, preventing muscular atrophy, boosting collagen secretion, and enhancing osseointegration. Thereby, to determine if electrical stimulation of titanium implants or titanium-based implant materials has antibacterial characteristics against bacterial biofilms, this investigation was carried out.

In February 2024, the search was carried out across a number of databases, including Google Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed/Medline. Furthermore, a manual search of the included papers' reference lists was carried out. In vivo and in vitro studies assessing the impact of electrical stimulation on titanium implants or titanium-based implant materials in lowering biofilm development or adherence as well as eliminating or decreasing the survival of bacterial biofilms were among the qualifying requirements.

The inverse variance approach using random- and fixed-effects models was used to calculate the variability between studies. The prediction interval and I2 statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity. Using funnel plots, publication bias was assessed qualitatively.

The key outcome of this study directed towards the fact that current and voltage, two electrical stimulation parameters, showed antibacterial activity and had either bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects.

Overall, this study was able to conclude that ES in titanium implants or titanium-based implant material offers antibacterial potential against bacterial biofilms based on the research that was part of this systematic review and meta-analysis. The majority of applications test ES as an extra therapy or in synergism with medications, surfaces, or antimicrobial agents.

Source:

Kreve, S., & Reis, A. C. (2025). Efficacy of electrical stimulation for antimicrobial capacity of titanium materials implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Biosciences, 67(2), 100669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.job.2025.100669