Characterization of titanium surfaces for dental implants with inorganic contaminant.

The aim of this research was to characterize titanium surfaces blasted with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles using the KS 400 digital image processing program. Samples of grade II titanium plates were submitted to blasting processes using particles of Al2O3, and treated with a hydrofluoric acid-based solution. Three digital images from each sample surface were obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy, and half-quantitative chemical analyses were subsequently performed using Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, parameters related to the alumina phase, such as the concentration level, the area and perimeter of the particles and their circular form factor were measured using KS 400. The mechanical/chemical treatment caused depressions up to 10 microm on homogeneous surfaces. Although the chemical attack significantly removed the alumina phase, residual particles could still be identified by the EDS. The average area occupied by the alumina phase on the samples surfaces was 469.32 (+/- 284.98) microm2, the particle average perimeter was 81.61 (+/- 27.68) microm, and the mean circular form factor was 0.60 (+/- 0.05). Characterizing the titanium surface is essential in the evaluation of the material manufacturing process because the presence of residual aluminum particles may have deleterious effects on the formation of the osseous/implant tissue.