The Influence of Surface Roughening and Polishing on Microbial Biofilm Development on Different Ceramic Materials

Abstract

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that surface roughening and polishing of ceramics have no effect on their surface roughness and biofilm adhesion.

Materials and methods: Feldspathic ceramic Vitablocks™ TriLuxe forte (VTF), lithium disilicate glass IPS e.max Press™ (IPS) and zirconia reinforced lithium silicate Vita Suprinity™ (VS) ceramic blocks (n = 27 per group) were prepared from sintered CAD blocks using a water-cooled saw. They were further subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the surface treatment protocols (n = 9): as prepared, roughened and polished. The surface roughness of the ceramic blocks was measured using an electro-mechanical profilometer. The ceramic sections were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans and incubated for 48 hours to form a biofilm. The ceramic surfaces with the biofilms were analyzed using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy to calculate the percentage of live bacteria and substratum coverage by the biofilm, and further visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS software using two-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Bonferroni test to identify significant differences between the groups. The level of significance was set at p = 0.05.

Results: As prepared VTF showed significantly higher mean surface roughness values than as prepared IPS and VS. The mean percentage of live bacteria and biofilm coverage of the substrate were significantly higher in the roughened ceramic blocks than the as prepared and polished blocks for all three ceramic types (p < 0.05). Polished specimens of VS significantly lower percentage of biofilm coverage than the other groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study sheds new light that adjustments of ceramic restorations prior to cementation increases the likelihood for formation and adhesion of microbial biofilms on the surface. Polished zirconia reinforced lithium disilicate ceramics demonstrated the lowest bacterial adhesion among the evaluated ceramics.