In Vitro evaluation of the effect of different dental implant surface characteristics on biofilm formation

The roughness, morphology, oxide layer thickness, and hydrophilicity of dental implant surfaces play a decisive role in cell adhesion, early osseointegration, and microbial colonization. Peri implantitis is a disease associated with microbial plaque accumulation and infection, leading to alveolar bone loss and potentially resulting in implant failure. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare biofilm adhesion on implant surfaces with different characteristics, specifically an anodized, nanostructured, ultra hydrophilic collar region and a micro roughened body region. After biofilm formation in the microbiology laboratory, four implants were used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging analyses, and four implants were used for total biofilm mass measurement. Eight Nobel Biocare TiUltra implants (diameter: 4.3 mm, length: 11.5 mm) with a collar surface roughness of 0.5 µm and a gradually increasing body roughness ranging from 0.9 µm to 1.4 µm were included in this study. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms were formed around all implants and examined using SEM. The number of S. mutans colonies in the body region was statistically significantly higher than in the collar region. The findings indicate that the graded surface design of TiUltra implants aligns with biological requirements. The smoother, nanostructured collar surface reduces biofilm accumulation, contributing to the protection of peri implant soft tissues, while the increased roughness in the body region provides a larger biological contact area that supports osseointegration. These features are clinically significant for reducing the risk of peri implantitis and enhancing long term implant stability. Keywords: Anodized İmplant; Implant Roughness; Peri-İmplantitis; S. Mutans