Effect of Implantoplasty on Fatigue Performance and Surface Roughness of Narrow Diameter Dental Implants

Implantoplasty (IP) is used in dental implants with peri-implantitis and aims to remove threads and polish rough surfaces in order to prevent bacterial colonization. As a result of this procedure, implant strength might be compromised. We tested 20 tapered screw-shaped Ti6Al4V dental implants with a simulated bone loss of 50%. Ten implants underwent IP and 10 served as controls. Surface topography (S a , S z , S sk and S dr ) was analyzed with a confocal optical microscope. Subsequently, cyclic loads were applied with a servo-hydraulic mechanical testing machine (5x10 6 cycles at 15 Hz, between the maximal compression force - 529N in the IP group and 735N in the control group - and 10% of that force). We recorded the number of cycles until failure and the type of failure. Implant failure was analyzed by visual inspection and scanning electron microscopy. Implantoplasty reduced the median S a from 1.76 (IQR=0.11) to 0.49 (IQR=0.16). The fatigue limits of the control and implantoplasty groups were 551 N and 529 N, respectively. The scanning electron micrographs showed fatigue striations indicating fatigue failure. The infinite life range of the dental implants evaluated was largely above the threshold of usual chewing forces. Implantoplasty seems to render a fairly smooth surface and has a limited impact upon fatigue resistance.