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.

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.