Evaluation of surface morphology of titanium implant surfaces after detoxification with hypochlorous acid

In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of Hypochlorous Acid application on the roughness and morphology on the titanium surface using polished titanium discs imitating the abutment surface, together with cytotoxicity and new biofilm formation, and also to compare the biofilm removal efficiency with other decontamination agents. In the in vitro study, 104 grade 4 pure titanium discs were used. In the study, Hypochlorous Acid, Chlorhexidine Digluconate and Citric Acid were applied to the discs for 8 minutes using the rubbing and immersion methods. The roughness and morphology changes on the surface after the application were examined under Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. In addition, the effect of the applied solutions on cytotoxicity on the titanium surface was analyzed on fibroblast cells. In addition, decontamination protocols were applied to biofilm-contaminated discs and the biofilm removal efficiency was examined, and new biofilm formation was evaluated via optical density with a Spectrophotometer Device after initially applying solutions to sterile discs. According to the results of our study, the lowest roughness value was observed in the Hypochlorous Acid group. When new biofilm formation was evaluated, HOCl Acid was found to be more successful in reducing biofilm formation compared to the control group compared to other chemicals according to the rubbing and immersion method. Biofilm removal efficiency was found to be better in the Hypochlorous Acid group compared to the control in the immersion method, and Citric Acid was found to be more successful in the rubbing method. All chemicals used in the study were found to have no cytotoxic effect on the titanium surface and were biocompatible. As a result, hypochlorous acid can be a reliable decontamination protocol for titanium surfaces by eliminating microbial biofilms without damaging the implant surface.