Nano-Hydroxyapatite Airborne-Particle Abrasion System as an Alternative Surface Treatment Method on Intraorally Contaminated Titanium Discs

The aim of this study was to test the nano-hydroxyapatite powder decontamination method on intraorally contaminated titanium discs and to compare this method with current decontamination methods in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Contaminated discs were assigned to six treatment groups (n = 10 each): titanium hand curette; ultrasonic scaler with a plastic tip (appropriate for titanium); ultrasonic scaler with a plastic tip (appropriate for titanium) + H2O2; short-term airflow system (nano-hydroxyapatite airborne-particle abrasion for 30 seconds); long-term airflow system (nano-hydroxyapatite airborne-particle abrasion for 120 seconds); Er:YAG laser (120 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz). There were also two control groups (n = 10 each): contaminated disc (negative control) and sterile disc (positive control). Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and dynamic contact angle analysis were used to determine the most effective surface-treatment method. The highest percentage of carbon (C) atoms was observed in the negative control group, and the lowest percentage of C atoms was found in the long-term airflow group, followed by the short-term airflow, laser, ultrasonic + H2O2, ultrasonic, and mechanical groups. When the groups were examined for wettability, the lowest contact angle degree was observed in the long-term airflow, short-term airflow, and laser groups. Nano-hydroxyapatite and laser treatments for detoxifying and improving infected titanium surfaces may show the most suitable results for reosseointegration.