Statement of problem: Implant survival depends on proper and timely oral hygiene maintenance, and a wide variety of oral prophylaxis procedures have been recommended and used on implant abutments.
Purpose: This in vitro study compared the surface quality of both commercially pure titanium and titanium-alloy implant abutments, subjected to various hygiene methods and instruments with a standardized, clinically applicable scaling force.
Material and methods: Commercially pure titanium and titanium-alloy abutments were exposed to five oral hygiene methods; a gold-alloy-tipped scaler, a high-grade resin scaler, a graphite-reinforced scaler, an air-powder abrasive system, and a rubber cup with tin oxide slurry. A customized test device that simulated the scaling motion and allowed the application of a standard load at the tip of the scaler was used. Scanning electron photomicrographs (x200) of the pretreatment and treated surfaces were obtained and compared qualitatively.
Results and conclusions: No significant surface alteration was produced by the air abrasive system. All other hygiene methods either created significant surface alterations, left residual particles on the abutment surfaces, or both.