2013 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 285-290
Purpose: The maintenance of dental implants is essential for a successful outcome. However, few studies have examined damage to the implant surface caused by hand instrumentation. This study evaluated morphological changes on titanium alloy surfaces treated with different types of hand instruments. Methods: Titanium alloy surfaces were polished and test areas (3×3 mm) were painted with a waterproof pen. Stainless steel (Stn), titanium (Ti), and poly phenylene sulfide resin (PPS) scalers were used to remove the paint. The average roughness (Ra) of each treated titanium surface was measured using a profilometer. Morphological changes were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The time required to remove all paint was also measured. Analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference test were used to analyze the data (α=0.05). Results: The Stn scaler markedly damaged the titanium surface, whereas the Ti and PPS scalers did not. The Ra value was significantly higher with the Stn scaler than with the Ti and PPS scalers. No significant difference was observed between the Ti and PPS scalers. Removal time was significantly shorter when the Stn scaler was used. Conclusion: All instruments tested increased the roughness of the polished titanium surface, but the Stn scaler caused more damage than the other scalers. Understanding the characteristics of instruments and their use is important for implant maintenance therapy.
