Accumulation of Biofilm on Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Fabricated Using Additive Layer Manufacturing

Abstract

Following the introduction of additive manufacturing technology, there have been several reports describing its efficacy for fabricating medical and dental devices. Although minimizing biofilms is important clinically, few studies have compared biofilm accumulation on additive manufactured devices with that on alloys fabricated by other methods. Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 biofilm accumulation on additive manufactured Ti–6Al–4V ELI was compared with that on conventional dental alloys fabricated by lost-wax casting (Commercially pure titanium, Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy, Au–Cu–Ag alloy, Pd–Ag–Cu–Au alloy, Ag–Sn–Zn alloy, and Co–Cr alloy). Teflon® disks served as controls. Biofilm accumulation on each alloy (n = 3) was conducted at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions. After 4 h, the number of metabolically active S. mutans adhering to each alloy was determined using a bioluminescence assay. Although the surfaces of the additive manufactured Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy were rougher than those of cast alloys, this roughness, unexpectedly, did not increase the biofilm accumulation. Apparently, alloy composition minimizes biofilm accumulation even when the surface is rough.