Influence of scaling procedures on the integrity of titanium nitride coated CAD/CAM abutments

PURPOSE. To determine the extent of treatment traces, the roughness depth, and the quantity of titanium nitride (TiN) removed from the surface of CAD/CAM abutments after treatment with various instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twelve TiN coated CAD/CAM abutments were investigated for an in vitro study. In the test group (9), each abutment surface was subjected twice (150 g vs. 200 g pressure) to standardized treatment in a simulated prophylaxis measure with the following instruments: acrylic scaler, titanium curette, and ultrasonic scaler with steel tip. Three abutments were used as control group. Average surface roughness (Sa) and developed interfacial area ratio (Sdr) of treated and untreated surfaces were measured with a profilometer. The extent of treatment traces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS. Manipulation with ultrasonic scalers resulted in a significant increase of average surface roughness (Sa, P