Inhibition of bacterial growth on zirconia abutment with a helium cold atmospheric plasma jet treatment

Objectives This study presents a surface modification method to treat the zirconia implant abutment materials using a helium cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) jet in order to evaluate its efficacy on oral bacteria adhesion and growth. Materials and methods Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconia disks were subjected to helium CAP treatment; after the treatment, zirconia surface was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, a contact angle measuring device, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for surface characteristics. The response of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis on treated surface was evaluated by a scanning electron microscopy, MTT assay, and LIVE/DEAD staining. The biofilm formation was analyzed using a crystal violet assay. Results After the helium CAP jet treatment, the zirconia surface chemistry has been changed while the surface topography remains unchanged, the bacterial growth was inhibited, and the biofilm forming decreased. As the treatment time increases, the zirconia abutment showed a better bacterial inhibition efficacy. Conclusions The helium CAP jet surface modification approach can eliminate bacterial growth on zirconia surface with surface chemistry change, while surface topography remained.