Effect of hygiene instrumentation on titanium abutments: a scanning electron microscopy study

Implant abutments can be exposed to a variety of oral prophylaxis procedures. In this in vitro study, titanium abutments were subjected to five oral prophylaxis treatment modalities; a metal scaler, a plastic scaler, a rubber cup, a rubber cup with tin oxide, and an air-powder abrasive. The abutment surfaces were then examined under both light and scanning electron microscopes. The metal scaler was seen to roughen the titanium surface. All other modalities tested appeared to smooth the titanium surface by removing surface debris and rounding off the sharp machined grooves present on the untreated abutment surface.