title: Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the effects of an air-abrasive system on dental implants: a comparative in vitro study between machined and plasma-sprayed titanium surfaces.
abstract: An in vitro comparative study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of an air-abrasive system on dental implant surfaces. Eight new titanium dental implants, four standard machined implants (machined group), and four standard plasma-sprayed implants (plasma-sprayed group) were selected for investigation. Both neck and body surfaces of the implants were analyzed. Each pair of implants in each group was treated as follows: the spray of the air-abrasive unit was applied to each area for 5 seconds on the first implant and 15 seconds on the second implant. A total of 24 areas were observed: 16 test implants and 8 controls. Scanning electron photomicrographs were analyzed by 3 examiners using a category rating scale (kappa = 0.594). The images were also computerized for texture analysis. The results indicate that a single air-powder abrasive treatment of the dental implants selected for this study modified their exposed surfaces. After treatment, the threaded neck surface of a machined group implant was least affected, whereas the body was the most altered. In the plasma-sprayed group, comparisons between implant surfaces showed little change. In the machined group, more change was observed in both neck and body areas. In all specimens, a 5-second exposure to the air-powder abrasive did not induce deep changes in the surfaces. A 15-second exposure modified all the specimen surfaces. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of these changes on the biological osseointegration process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Denis Diderot University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chairay
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boulekbache
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jean
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soyer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bouchard
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016348:Osseointegration; D011208:Powders; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015921:Dental Implants; D011208:Powders; D014025:Titanium