Titanium surface topography after brushing with fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste simulating 10 years of use

Abstract Objectives To conduct a controlled study contrasting titanium surface topography after procedures that simulated 10 years of brushing using toothpastes with or without fluoride. Methods Commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) and Ti–6Al–4V disks (6 mm Ø × 4 mm) were mirror-polished and treated according to 6 groups ( n = 6) as a function of immersion (I) or brushing (B) using deionised water (W), fluoride-free toothpaste (T) and fluoride toothpaste (FT). Surface topography was evaluated at baseline (pretreatment) and post-treatment, using atomic force microscope in order to obtain three-dimensional images and mean roughness. Specimens submitted to immersion were submerged in the vehicles without brushing. For brushed specimens, procedures were conducted using a linear brushing machine with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Immersion and brushing were performed for 244 h. IFT and BFT samples were analysed under scanning electron microscope with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Pre and post-treatment values were compared using the paired Student T -test ( α = .05). Intergroup comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-test ( α = .05). Results cp Ti mean roughness (in nanometers) comparing pre and post-treatment were: IW, 2.29 ± 0.55/2.33 ± 0.17; IT, 2.24 ± 0.46/2.02 ± 0.38; IFT, 2.22 ± 0.53/1.95 ± 0.36; BW, 2.22 ± 0.42/3.76 ± 0.45; BT, 2.27 ± 0.55/16.05 ± 3.25; BFT, 2.27 ± 0.51/22.39 ± 5.07. Mean roughness (in nanometers) measured in Ti–6Al–4V disks (pre/post-treatment) were: IW, 1.79 ± 0.25/2.01 ± 0.25; IT, 1.61 ± 0.13/1.74 ± 0.19; IFT, 1.92 ± 0.39/2.29 ± 0.51; BW, 2.00 ± 0.71/2.05 ± 0.43; BT, 2.37 ± 0.86/11.17 ± 2.29; BFT, 1.83 ± 0.50/15.73 ± 1.78. No significant differences were seen after immersions ( p > .05). Brushing increased the roughness of cp Ti and of Ti–6Al–4V ( p < .01); cp Ti had topographic changes after BW, BT and BFT treatments whilst Ti–6Al–4V was significantly different only after BT and BTF. EDS has not detected fluoride or sodium ions on metal surfaces. Conclusions Exposure to toothpastes (immersion) does not affect titanium per se ; their use during brushing affects titanium topography and roughness. The associated effects of toothpaste abrasives and fluorides seem to increase roughness on titanium brushed surfaces.