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Published on: February 10, 2014
Etched implants: a comparative surface analysis of four implant systems
S Szmukler-Moncler1, T Testori, J P Bernard
1Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, Barthélémy Menn 4, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland. ssm@bluewin.ch
Summary
Dental implant surface topography varies significantly between manufacturers, indicating inconsistent industrial processes. Bone interlocking, not just implant fixation, is key to the biological success of textured implant surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Acid etching is a popular surface texturing method for dental implants.
- Understanding the reproducibility of industrial texturing processes is crucial for consistent implant performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the surface topography of four different dental implant systems.
- To evaluate the reproducibility of the industrial acid etching process across different batches for each implant system.
Main Methods:
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface observation.
- Contact profilometry to measure surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rz(ISO), Rt, Rsk, Sm, RDeltaq).
- Analysis of three implants from three distinct batches for each of the four implant systems.
Main Results:
- Each implant system exhibited a unique and distinguishable surface topography.
- Surface topography was a combination of macro- and microroughness when sandblasting preceded etching.
- Variations in roughness and residual sand among batches indicated underdeveloped industrial processes.
- Two of the four manufacturers deviated from their released technical specifications.
Conclusions:
- The industrial production of acid-etched dental implant surfaces lacks full reproducibility.
- Bone interlocking at the implant-tissue interface is likely the primary factor for the biological efficacy of textured surfaces.
