Do Oral Hygiene Methods Alter Titanium Implant Surfaces? An In Vitro Surface Roughness Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Objectives This study evaluated and compared the effects of three simulated daily oral hygiene regimens on the surface roughness ( R a ) of titanium alloy ( Ti6Al4V ) discs. Methods Twenty‐four Ti6Al4V discs were allocated to two groups based on baseline surface characteristics ( n = 12/group): Group 1 (Polished) and Group 2 (Sandblasted). Each was subdivided into three 30‐day regimens ( n = 4/regimen): Regimen A (Chemical only: 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) mouthrinse immersion), Regimen B (Combined electric toothbrushing [ETb] + fluoridated toothpaste [TP] + CHX after a 30‐min washout), and Regimen C (mechanical control: ETb + distilled water). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) quantified R a values at baseline and at 30 days. Data were evaluated using three‐way mixed ANOVA, one‐way ANOVA, and post hoc Bonferroni corrections ( p < 0.05). Results Three‐way mixed ANOVA revealed a significant interaction among time, surface type, and regimen ( F (2, 18) = 30.58, p < 0.001). Post hoc tests showed that Regimens A and B significantly increased R a values in Group 1 (A: p = 0.0001; B: p = 0.001) and in Group 2 (A: p = 0.005; B: p = 0.0008). Conversely, Regimen C produced no significant alterations ( p > 0.05). Baseline one‐way ANOVA confirmed that Group 2 possessed significantly higher R a values than Group 1 ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Exposure to therapeutic oral hygiene protocols (Regimens A and B) significantly elevated Ti6Al4V roughness, while isolated bristle friction (Regimen C) had a negligible impact. Pre‐textured sandblasted surfaces exhibited greater vulnerability to structural wear than polished surfaces, highlighting the need for surface‐specific, individualized implant hygiene protocols.
DOI: 10.1111/idh.70186
Authors: Vaishnavi Pandey, Rupali Agnihotri
Institution: Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Language: English
Subfield: Oral Surgery
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7224876252