Effect of air-powder system on titanium surface on fibroblast adhesion and morphology.

PURPOSE To evaluate the number and morphology of fibroblasts grown on machined titanium healing abutments treated with an airpowder system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-six abutments were assigned to two experimental groups: control (no treatment) and treated (exposed to the Prophy-Jet for 30 seconds). The specimens were incubated for 24 hours with fibroblastic cells in multiwell plates, followed by routine laboratory processing for scanning electron microscope analysis. The specimens were photographed at x 350, and the cell number was counted on an area of approximately 200 um2. RESULTS No significant differences were found on morphology between the groups (P > 0.05); however, the control group presented a significantly greater amount of cells (71.44 +/- 31.93, mean +/- SD) in comparison with treated group (35.31 +/- 28.14), as indicated by a nonpaired t test (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION The use of an air-abrasive prophylaxis system on the surface of titanium healing abutments reduced the cells proliferation but did not influence cell morphology.