German materials company TANIOBIS is advancing its AMtrinsic powder range for use in additive manufacturing of medical implants, positioning tantalum and niobium alloys as a clinically superior alternative to the titanium standard that still accounts for more than 90 percent of orthopedic and dental implants worldwide. The Limits of a Long-Standing Standard Ti-6Al-4V’s mechanical strength and corrosion resistance have supported strong long-term clinical outcomes across decades of use. But its biological performance is not without drawbacks. In roughly one in five patients, the release of aluminum and vanadium ions triggers cytotoxic reactions, leading to infection and inflammation around the implant site. A separate structural issue compounds this: the alloy is stiffer than natural bone. This mismatch can cause stress shielding, a condition where the implant absorbs load that the surrounding bone would normally bear, potentially leading to bone loss and implant failure over time.…