Importance of Measurement Parameters for the Dental Implant Surface Characterization

Pure titanium and its alloys have been widely used in biomedical applications on account of their biological and mechanical properties. Although the mechanical properties of titanium provide acceptable responses under dynamic pressures, surface modifications are needed in order to improve osseointegration between bone-implant interfaces. There are many different surface modification techniques like sand blasting, acid etching, or coating with various materials. Surface characterization is as important as surface modification for dental implants. Although many researchers studied about measurement of surface characteristics of dental implants with similar techniques but with different measurement parameters, there is still no consensus about the optimal surface characteristics values of a successful dental implant. Among many other surface characteristics, surface roughness is one of the most important features for dental implants. In this study, the importance of surface roughness measurement of dental implants is discussed and the need of a standardized procedure for implant surface roughness measurement is emphasized. In our experimental study three different processed surfaces as sand blasted and hydrofluoric acid etched surfaces, sand blasted and nitric acid etched surfaces and blasted surfaces were investigated. Results are compared via each method and each processing technique. It is aimed to highlight the importance of a standardized method for measuring and describing surface characteristics. More definitive, standardized methods are needed to augment the rather existing varied combined measurement parameters which affect the results for the assessment of biomedical surfaces.