Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the influence of implantoplasty (IP) on the diameter, chemical surface composition, and biocompatibility of titanium implants in vitro.
Material and methods: Twenty soft tissue-level (TL; machined transmucosal-M and rough endosseous part-SLA) and 20 bone-level (BL; SLA) implants were allocated to IP covering 3 or 6 mm of the structured surface (SLA) area. The samples were subjected to diameter, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and cell viability (ginigval fibroblasts, 6 days) assessments.
Results: Median diameter reductions varied between 0.1 (TL 3 mm) and 0.2 mm (TL 6 mm). EDX analysis revealed that IP and M surfaces were characterized by a comparable quantity (Wt%) of elements C, O, Na, Cl, K, and Si, but a significantly different quantity of elements Ti and Al. When compared to SLA surfaces, significant differences were noted for elements C, O, Na, Ti, and Al. At BL implants, the extension of IP (i.e., 3 to 6 mm) was associated with a significant increase in cell viability.
Conclusions: IP applied to SLA implants was associated with (i) a minimal diameter reduction, (ii) an undisturbed cell viability, and (iii) a chemical elemental composition comparable to M surfaces.
Clinical relevance: This specific IP procedure appears to be suitable for the management of exposed SLA implant surfaces.
Keywords: Cell culture; Dental implants; Implant surface; Implantoplasty.