Introduction: Peri-implantitis results from a process that involves bacterial interactions and an excessive inflammatory response. The purpose of the modifications present on implant surfaces is to positively affect the tissue response to osteointegration. Goals: Pilot study: Characterization of the microbiome formed on titanium implant surfaces placed in devices present in the oral cavity of human volunteers and to investigate the impact of microorganisms on the implants structure.
Materials and methods: 22 volunteers used intraoral devices containing a laterally machined titanium implant and another implant with Vellox® surface treatment (double acid etching + blasting with Al2O3) for a period of 48 hours. The adhered microbiome was characterized using gene sequencing. Additionally, the studied implants were observed by MEV and their wettability was analyzed.
Results: The Vellox® surface showed a higher contact angle in comparison with the machined surface, characterizing them as hydrophobic. The machined surface and the Vellox® surface differ microscopically in terms of their nanostructure. Bacterial adhesion to both surfaces occurs qualitatively in a similar way.
Discussion: The superficial microscopic aspects determined in the studied implants are in agreement with those described in the literature. It was possible to verify that the bacterial composition on both studied surfaces was the same. These results contrast with those described in the literature in which there appears to be a greater bacterial adhesion to irregular surfaces. Clinical implications: Understanding peri-implantitis by its microbiological etiology and the mechanisms that manufacturers can adopt to reduce its incidence.
Conclusion: Wettability and the surfaces microtopographic characteristics do not promote the initial biofilms adhesion to the surfaces with different treatments, in the studied implants.
Keywords: Bacterial adhesion, titanium, implant, implant surface, wettability, surface properties
