Comparative Evaluation of Microroughness created on Titanium Alloy for use in Dental Implants subjected to Two Different Acid Etching Techniques: An in vitro Study

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the microroughness created on titanium alloy for use in dental implants subjected to two different acid etching techniques. Materials and Methods Commercially available grade 5 pure titanium plates were machine prepared into 26 plates measuring 3 × 1 cm × 5 mm for acid etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF) and dual acid etching technique using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) followed by hydrochloric acid (HCl). Twenty-five plates were divided into four groups based on the duration and sequence of acid etching. Upon completion of the acid etching procedure, the titanium plates were assessed for their surface characteristics by a surface profilometer. The average roughness parameters values Ra, Rq, Rz obtained for each titanium plate were compared against each other and with unetched titanium plate. Results The average roughness value Ra obtained was 0.480 μm for untreated surface and 3.65 μm maximum for the titanium plate etched for 72 hours in H2SO4 and 48 hours in HCl, which is about seven times the value of surface roughness on the unetched plates. The roughness values obtained after acid etching with HF for any duration were nonsignificant compared with the unetched plates. Conclusion The dual acid etching technique seems to be a simple method to develop a titanium implant surface, though evaluation of the biological response to this surface is necessary. Clinical significance The present study showed that by optimizing the parameters of acid etching, a rough titanium surface can be obtained similar to the various implant surfaces available commercially. How to cite this article Madaan VU, Mapara M, Padhye AM. Comparative Evaluation of Microroughness created on Titanium Alloy for use in Dental Implants subjected to Two Different Acid Etching Techniques: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent 2016;6(1):1-8.