title: Implant surface topographies analyzed using fractal dimension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the fractal dimension (Df) of disks with 3 different surface topographies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty disk-shaped samples (10 × 2 mm) with 3 different surface topographies (Dental Tech, Misinto, Italy) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy: group A, machined surface; group B, titanium plasma-spray surface; group C, acid-etched and sandblasted surface (Blasted Wrinkled Surface).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amplitude roughness parameter (Sa) of the machined surfaces was 0.6 μm, while the developed surface area ratio (Sdr) was 14%; for the titanium plasma-spray surfaces, the values were, respectively, 5.3 μm and 97%, and for the Blasted Wrinkled Surfaces, 1.5 μm and 63%. Images at 1.000, 20.000, and 50.000 magnifications were processed for quantitative analysis of Df using the box-counting method. At 1.000×, Df for group A, B, and C was 1.86, 1.80, and 1.81, respectively; at 20.000×, Df for group A, B, and C was 1.85, 1.71, 1.58, respectively; and at 50.000×, Df was 1.83, 1.61, and 1.51 for A, B, and C groups. Statistically significant differences were found for Df values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Df provides not only an index of roughness size values but also a measure of roughness spatial organization; therefore, it could be a promising method to differentiate between rough surfaces capable of supporting osseointegration.
authors: Dental School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via F. Sciucchi 63, Chieti, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Iezzi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Aprile
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Tripodi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Scarano
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Piattelli
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Perrotti
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017942:Nitric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D058626:Plasma Gases; D017942:Nitric Acid; D014025:Titanium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid