SEM/EDS and Roughness Analysis on Current Titanium Implant Decontamination Systems: In Vitro Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different decontamination treatments on the surface roughness and elemental deposition of pristine dental implants using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). We divided 110 dental implants into 21 groups based on the decontamination method used in vitro. One group was the untreated control. Roughness values (Ra) were analyzed with a profilometer, while elemental deposition was assessed through EDS. Results were obtained for each treatment and for macrogroups (control, ultrasound, curettes, powders, brushes, gels). Significantly lower Ra values were found in the neck zone with respect to the thread zone (p < 0.05). EDS analysis revealed a non-significant higher presence of carbon and calcium in certain treatments, denoting a certain deposition of the decontaminating products (p > 0.05). Although there were various significant differences among the groups, roughness values were low and no decontaminating methods macroscopically affected implant surfaces, so decontaminating procedures can be considered safe.