Effect of cleansing of biofilm formed on titanium discs

To study the combined effect of mechanical and chemical cleansing on a 4-day biofilm grown intra-orally on titanium discs with different surface characteristics.

Twenty subjects used a splint with two metal plates in the upper jaw. Each plate was placed in the premolar-molar region and carried four titanium discs with four different surface characteristics (OsseoSpeed(™), TiOblast(™), experimental and turned surface). After 4 days of biofilm growth, the discs were cleaned mechanically and chemically with saline or chlorhexidine. Following cleansing, microbial samples were obtained and analysed by culture. The titanium discs were processed for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The experiment was repeated 3 days later using delmopinol or a mixture of essential oils during cleansing.

The combination of mechanical and chemical cleansing was ineffective in complete biofilm removal from all four titanium discs. The microbiological analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences between surface types or between cleaning agents regarding logarithmic mean counts of CFU for specific bacteria, aerobes, anaerobes or the TVC. Aerobes were more numerous than anaerobes on all surface types. The SEM analysis disclosed that the remaining biofilm on moderately rough surfaces (OsseoSpeed(™), TiOblast(™) and experimental) was complex and firmly attached, while the biofilm on turned surface had a pattern of spread bacteria forming less clusters.

Cleansing may call for prolonged time of chemomechanical debridement and/or more effective disinfectants to suppress biofilms on dental implant surfaces.