Effect of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Wettability of Implant Prosthetic Materials: An In-Vitro Study

Purpose Surface wettability is a key factor in bonding of dental materials. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different exposure times of cold atmospheric pressure plasma at constant power on the surface wettability of various dental materials employed in implantology, using the “Piezo-Brush®” PZ3 cold atmospheric pressure plasma device. Methods Seventy-five standardized specimens made of titanium alloy, zirconia, lithium disilicate and polymer-infiltrated hybrid ceramic network were manufactured and polished. Specimens of each material were divided into 5 groups (each n = 15). Four groups were cold atmospheric pressure plasma treated for 5, 10, 20 or 30 seconds and compared to the untreated control group. Surface wettability was assessed by measuring the contact angle of distilled water using a goniometer. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. Results The mean contact angle was significantly reduced by 60–80% after 5 seconds of cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment for all investigated materials (p < 0.001). Prolonged cold atmospheric pressure plasma exposure resulted in further reduction in mean contact angle values for titanium at each additional treatment duration (p < 0.001), whereas for lithium disilicate a reduction was observed only up to 10 seconds. For zirconia and polymer-infiltrated hybrid ceramic network, no further reduction in contact angle was observed beyond 5 seconds of cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. Conclusion Cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment significantly increases surface wettability after short exposure times and may therefore improve adhesion. Under the plasma parameters applied in this study, extending treatment beyond 5 seconds for zirconia and polymer-infiltrated hybrid ceramic network or beyond 10 seconds for titanium and lithium disilicate offers no additional clinically relevant benefits.