Sem and in Vivo Study of Adhesion Characteristics of Titanium and Polytetrafluoroethylene Surfaces Healing Screws

Abstract

Background: The long-term maintenance of implants and the prostheses they support depends on many factors. Specifically, the patient's biotype is important where the presence of a significant thickness of keratinized gingiva should ensure the presence of a real biological seal, whose formation is also influenced by the healing screw. The healing screws normally used are made of titanium; however, their cost induces the dentist to use them for improper single use. The possibility of using materials other than titanium such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for the construction of healing screws can therefore be advantageous. Objectives: The aim of this experimental clinical study is to test new PTFE healing screws by exploiting their chemical-physical characteristics and undoubted economic advantages. Materials and methods: 10 patients were taken into consideration and 2 implants were inserted in each. In each patient in the second phase, a titanium healing screw and a PTFE healing screw were inserted. After 7 days, they were removed to allow analysis under an electron microscope. Results: SEM analysis of the screws showed that the PTFE surface has the ability to accumulate much less organic material than the titanium control screws. Furthermore, PTFE healing screws have been shown to reduce the level of inflammation induced by reuse compared to traditional healing screws. Conclusions: the reduced cost of the PTFE screw, together with the intrinsic characteristics of the material, represent promising characteristics, which can make their use advantageous in clinical practice.