Effect of mechanical instrumentation on implant surface: in vitro study

The aim of this in vitro study is to analyze the chemical and morphological changes of the implant surface caused by three different types of curettes and an air-flow system used in peri-implantitis surface decontamination.

Method:

Two pristine SLA 4,1x10mm implants (Straumann®, Basel, Switzerland) were used. Implant A was divided in three equal parts and randomly instrumented with steel Gracey Curette (Hu-Friedy®, Chicago, IL, USA), titanium curette (Green Titanium curette, Deppeler SA®, Rolle, Switzerland) or Carbon fiber Curette ( HaWe - Kerr®, Switerzerland). Implant B was divided in two equal parts, one instrumented with an air flow system (Air-Flow® -EMS, Nyon, Switzerland) with Al₂O₃ silica coated particles (CoJet®, 3M, ESPE® )  and the other wasn´t instrumented (control).

Implants were after analyzed (morphologically and chemically) using the Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) (Bruker AXS Microanalysis GmbH Berlin, Germany Esprit 1.8) (magnification of X50 and X1,00Kv). 

Result:

Morphological analysis for both steel Gracey and titanium curettes revealed morphological subtractive changes on the grooves of the implant, with smoother surface.  Carbon curette left some deposits on the implant surface mainly on the grooves.  The air-flow system produced a regular implant surface, similar to the pristine one, not only in the grooves but also in the hollows.

Chemical Analysis of the Pristine SLA surface revealed the presence of Titanium(Ti), Aluminum(Al) and Silicon(Si). Ti was the element with the highest peak. For stainless Steel curette the detected element was just Ti in total amounts slightly higher to those found at a pristine SLA surface. For carbon curette the most quantified element present was carbon© followed by sulfur(S). For air flow-system new elements were detected: oxygen(O) and phosphorus(P). 

Conclusion:

All instruments produced morphological and chemical changes in the pristine SLA surface.