Quantification of Plastic Remnants on Titanium Surface after Instrumentation and Evaluation of Efficacy of Its Removal after Irrigation by using a Confocal Microscope

Various procedures and instruments have been proposed to reduce the number of pathogenic species and consequently improve or preserve periodontal health around titanium implants. The procedures usually involves the removal of microbial deposits and debris without altering the surface of the implant in such a way as to adversely affect the biocompatibility. Plastic instruments have been used as it does not alter the surface. But instrumentation with plastic instruments have been known to leave behind some plastic remnants. These remnants can impair the biocompatibility of the implant surface. Hence, this study was conducted to quantify the surface area covered by plastic instruments after instrumentation using different plastic instruments on various surface modified titanium discs. The surface area covered by plastic debris was quantified using a confocal laser scanning microscope and MATLAB software. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this in-vitro study was to quantify the surface area covered by plastic remnants on different surface modified titanium discs after instrumentation with various plastic instruments and to evaluate the efficacy of the removal of these remnants by using a confocal laser scanning microscope under non-simulated conditions. OBJECTIVES: 1. To quantify the plastic remnants on titanium discs that are sand blasted, acid etched, SLA treated and polished after instrumentation with various plastic instruments such as PEEK ultrasonic tip (EMS Piezon Systems), carbon composite ultrasonic tip (PH1, Satelec, Suprason) and plastic curette (Columbia 4R/4L, Hu Friedy) by confocal microscopy. 2. To evaluate the efficacy of the removal of these remnants after irrigation with water spray and 0.2% chlorhexidine for 10 seconds by confocal microscopy. 3. To compare the amount of plastic remnants remaining on various surface modified titanium discs after instrumentation and irrigation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: In this study, the mean areas and standard deviations were calculated for each ...