Effects of Hydrophilicity and Microtopography of Titanium Implant Surfaces on Initial Supragingival Plaque Biofilm Formation. A Pilot Study

Objective The aim of the present pilot study is to investigate the effects of hydrophilicity and microtopography of titanium implant surfaces on initial supragingival plaque biofilm formation. Materials and Methods Test specimens were manufactured from commercially pure grade 2 titanium according to one of the following procedures: polished (P), acid-etched (A), chemically modified (mod) A (modA), sand-blasted large grit and A (SLA), and modSLA. Intraoral splints were used to collect an in vivo supragingival plaque biofilm in each group at 12, 24, and 48 h. Stained plaque biofilm (PB) areas (%) were morphometrically assessed. Results All groups exhibited significant increases of mean PB areas over time (p < 0.001; respectively). Morphometrical analysis revealed the following mean PB areas: 12 h: SLA = modSLA> P> A = modA (p < 0.001; respectively); 24 h: SLA> modSLA = P > A = modA (p < 0.001; respectively); 48h: SLA = modSLA = P> A = modA (p < 0.001; respectively). Conclusions Within the limits of a pilot study, it could be concluded that hydrophilicity had no apparent effect, while microtopography had a highly uneven and unpredictable influence on supragingival plaque biofilm formation.