Objective: To investigate the correlation between surface roughness and bacteria adhesion.
Methods: Surface roughness of four abutments were determined by Talysurf/6p-120 topographer. Ra, Rz, Rp, Rv, Ry and Sm values were gathered. Commercial pure titanium and titanium alloy discs, S. mutans and A. viscosus were used in adhesion experiment.
Results: Ra values (in microns) of the tested abutments were: 0.1556, 0.2073, 0.6976, and 0.3811. No statistical difference was observed in bacterial quantity when Ra < 0.4528 microns and Rz < 3.3882 microns in adhesion experiment.
Conclusions: The surface roughness of Ra < 0.4 micron and Rz < 3.4 microns is recommended for implant abutment.