Evaluating surfaces of titanium dental implants after contact with surgical gloves, steel rongeur, and titanium tweezers using scanning electron microscopy

Resumo

To use scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and determine whether the surfaces of titanium implants are
damaged when touched with a steel rongeur, titanium tweezers, or
surgical gloves. Material and methods: Ten dental implants were
divided into five groups: Control (C), Titanium Tweezers (T-T), Steel
Rongeurs (S-R), Surgical Gloves (S-G), and Steel Support (S-S). The
implants were assembled in a metallic base (stub) with the aid of
copper strips. They were then imaged and their microstructures
were characterized using SEM. Results: An analysis of the obtained
images showed that the implants that had been handled with
titanium tweezers or a steel rongeur suffered some damage to their
physical structure; "scratches" and other small signs of damage
were visible on their surfaces. The affected areas were very small
compared to the total surface area of the implants. Small dark
local stains were observed at the spots where some of the implants
had rubbed against a steel support. The rubbing of the implants
against the support did not cause any structural damage. The
implants handled with surgical gloves exhibited many dark stains
their surfaces. This suggested that the powder from the surgical
gloves had contaminated the surfaces of the implants. Conclusion: Using SEM imaging, it was determined that the surfaces of dental
implants suffer minor physical damage when handled with various
pieces of dental equipment. However, the damage should not result
in failure of the osseointegration process. In vivo studies are needed
to confirm this hypothesis.