Experimental study of plasma nitriding dental implant surfaces

Abstract

Titanium samples have been used as the substrate that was submitted to a plasma discharge nitriding for the surface treatment of dental implants. Two different arrangements regarding the electrode shapes were tested: planar and hollow cathode. The treated samples were evaluated regarding surface phases, texture, roughness, layer thickness, wettability and visual appearance. The roughness of the surface of all samples submitted to the plasma nitriding process was lower compared to those treated by commercially available technology plasma spray, on the other hand, better wettability was achieved. Some commercially available implants were also treated under the best conditions found with the experiment at titanium samples. After plasma nitriding these implants, tests were carried out to evaluate both wettability and surface texture. As a result the treated implants had both their surface texture and wettability improved.