Evaluating surfaces of titanium dental implants after contact with surgical gloves, steel rongeur, and titanium tweezers using scanning electron microscopy

To use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determine whether the surfaces of titanium implants are damaged when touched with a steel rongeur, titanium tweezers, or surgical gloves. Material and methods: Ten dental implants were divided into five groups: Control (C), Titanium Tweezers (T-T), Steel Rongeurs (S-R), Surgical Gloves (S-G), and Steel Support (S-S). The implants were assembled in a metallic base (stub) with the aid of copper strips. They were then imaged and their microstructures were characterized using SEM. Results: An analysis of the obtained images showed that the implants that had been handled with titanium tweezers or a steel rongeur suffered some damage to their physical structure; "scratches" and other small signs of damage were visible on their surfaces. The affected areas were very small compared to the total surface area of the implants. Small dark local stains were observed at the spots where some of the implants had rubbed against a steel support. The rubbing of the implants against the support did not cause any structural damage. The implants handled with surgical gloves exhibited many dark stains their surfaces. This suggested that the powder from the surgical gloves had contaminated the surfaces of the implants. Conclusion: Using SEM imaging, it was determined that the surfaces of dental implants suffer minor physical damage when handled with various pieces of dental equipment. However, the damage should not result in failure of the osseointegration process. In vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.