Effects of polishing methods on Candida albicans adhesion on cast pure titanium surfaces.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different polishing methods on Candida albicans adhesion to cast pure titanium surfaces. METHODS: Pure titanium test specimens randomly divided into 4 groups not specially treated (CT), manual polishing (MPT), electrolytic polishing (EPT), and centrifugal barrel polishing (CPT). Surface roughness was measured with surface profilometer. Contact angles of water, diiodomethane, and ethylene glycol on specimen surface were measured, and the free energy was calculated. Each group were immersed in a C. albicans suspension for 48 hours, and cell count of C. albicans adhesion were taken. Morphology of C. albicans adhesion was observed by SEM. RESULTS: Surface roughness (Ra) were in the following order CT > EPT > MPT > CPT. The amount of C. albicans adhesion to the surface of CPT was significantly less than CT, MPT, and EPT by cells count (P < 0.05). In SEM, less C. albicans aggregation formed on the surface of CPT than other 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Specimens treated by the CPT method showed superior effect to the specimens treated with MPT and EPT methods in reducing the adhesion of C. albicans.