Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
06:39
Tools for Surface Treatment of Silicon Planar Intracortical Microelectrodes
Published on: June 8, 2022
Implant surface alterations from a nonmetallic ultrasonic tip
G M Bailey1, J S Gardner, M H Day
1Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, USA.
The Journal of the Western Society of Periodontology/Periodontal Abstracts
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Ultrasonic scalers with nonmetallic tips minimally altered titanium and titanium alloy implant surfaces. However, plasma-coated and hydroxyapatite-coated implant surfaces showed more significant damage, limiting their use with this maintenance device.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Dental implant maintenance often involves ultrasonic scalers.
- Nonmetallic scaler tips are proposed to minimize implant surface damage.
- Different implant surface coatings may exhibit varying responses to ultrasonic scaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate surface alterations on various dental implant materials after ultrasonic scaling with a nonmetallic tip.
- To compare the effects of nonmetallic ultrasonic scaling on commercially pure titanium, titanium alloy, plasma-coated, and hydroxyapatite-coated implant surfaces.
- To determine the clinical suitability of nonmetallic ultrasonic scalers for maintaining different types of dental implants.
Main Methods:
- Dental implant surfaces (commercially pure titanium, titanium alloy, plasma-coated, hydroxyapatite-coated) were subjected to ultrasonic scaling using a nonmetallic tip for 10 seconds.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine and compare surface alterations between treated and control samples.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessments of surface changes were performed.
Main Results:
- Commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy surfaces exhibited negligible surface alterations compared to control samples.
- Plasma-coated implant surfaces demonstrated more severe surface changes.
- Hydroxyapatite-coated implant surfaces also showed significant alterations, indicating susceptibility to the ultrasonic scaler.
- The nonmetallic tip proved safe for titanium-based surfaces but potentially damaging for coated surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic scalers with nonmetallic tips can be safely used for maintaining commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy dental implant surfaces.
- Plasma-coated and hydroxyapatite-coated implant surfaces are more susceptible to damage from nonmetallic ultrasonic scalers.
- Careful consideration of implant surface material is necessary when selecting ultrasonic scaler tips for maintenance procedures.
