Surface characterisation of dental implants by confocal laser scanning microscopy

0bjectives:ln recent years implant surfaces intensively have been optimized. So far standards for surface characterisation by the various methods of determining morphometric and topographic parameters are discussed in controversy. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in 3D-TOPO mode is the alternative presented here. Method: With this technique 35 commercially available dental implants were inspected (each at 5 different locations). The roughness value Sa and the developed surface area (ratio) Sdr were derived from the obtained 3D images. Implants were grouped according to the type of surface treatment. Results Machined (n=2) Ablative (n=17) Ti coating (n=9) HA coating (n=7) Sa [µm] 0.5 [0.3-0.7] 3.1 [1.7-4.9] 6.0 [3.4-9.8] 5.8 [4.8-7.1] Sdr [%] 3.1 [2.4-3.7] 11.4 [5.4-19.6] 14.3 [9.4-19.7] 18.4 [13.1-31.4] Keywords: dental implants, surface, CLSM