What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the surface roughness changes in different prosthetic materials treated with cleaning instruments.

March 27, 2026Open Access

Surface Roughness Assessment of Implant Prosthetic Components Treated by Dental Ultrasonic and Polishing Instruments

Key Points

To investigate the surface roughness changes in different prosthetic materials treated with cleaning instruments.
Analyzed four prosthetic materials: lithium disilicate, titanium, PEEK, and zirconia.
Treated samples with ultrasonic scaler, air polishing devices, and prophy paste.
Measured surface roughness changes using a profilometer and visualized with scanning electron microscopy.
Data analyzed using the independent-sample Kruskal-Wallis test.
Lithium disilicate showed higher roughness when treated with prophy paste.
Titanium had increased roughness with air polishing and prophy paste.
PEEK exhibited significantly higher roughness with air polishing devices.
Zirconia showed greater roughness when treated with the P5 scaler and Airflow Classic.

Abstract

Abstract Dental implant is an effective treatment for tooth replacement, with modern prosthetic materials like lithium disilicate and zirconia enhancing esthetics. However, they are susceptible to peri-implant diseases such as mucositis and peri-implantitis. Poor oral hygiene and bacterial biofilm accumulation are key factors contributing to these conditions. This study aimed to investigate the surface roughness of four different prosthetic materials: lithium disilicate, titanium, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and zirconia, after being treated with cleaning instruments. This study was performed on 100 specimens, comprising 25 samples each of lithium disilicate, titanium, PEEK, and zirconia. The surface of the samples was treated with different types of cleaning instruments: piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler (P5 scaler), two air polishing devices (Airflow Classic and Airflow Plus powder), and prophy paste with rubber cup (Prophy paste). Changes of surface roughness and surface topography were measured with a profilometer, and scanning electron microscopy was used for visual analysis. The data was analyzed using the independent-sample Kruskal–Wallis test. Compared to the control, the lithium disilicate showed significantly higher roughness when treated with Prophy paste; the titanium showed significantly higher roughness when treated by air polishing (Airflow Classic and Airflow Plus powder), Prophy paste; the PEEK showed significantly higher roughness when treated by air polishing (Airflow Classic and Airflow Plus powder); and zirconia showed significantly higher roughness when treated with the P5 scaler and Airflow Classic. It showed that the roughness parameters (Ra and Rz) were affected when treating with various cleaning instruments. From this study, air polishing devices should be used with caution with titanium, PEEK, and zirconia; Prophy paste should be used with caution with titanium and lithium disilicate; and P5 scaler should be used with caution with zirconia. Further studies are required to study the clinical outcomes.

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