The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of modifying titanium s
urfaces, in terms of wettability, roughness, and mode of sterilization, on
the ability of the oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguis to colonize. An in
vitro model system was developed. All surfaces were colonized by the bacter
ia, but to significantly different levels. Titanium samples that exhibited
rough or hydrophobic (low wettability) surfaces, along with all autoclaved
surfaces, were preferentially colonized (P < .01). Titanium surfaces that h
ad been repeatedly autoclaved were colonized with the levels of bacteria 3
to 4 orders of magnitude higher than other modes of sterilization. This may
have implications relative to the commonly used method of autoclaving tita
nium implants, which may ultimately enhance bacterial biofilm formation on
these surfaces.