Reusability limits of microblades in periodontal tunneling surgery: Impact on cutting efficiency, morphology, roughness, and clinical safety

The cutting performance of surgical microblades determines the precision of incisions and influences the tissue's healing. This study aimed to evaluate the surface degradation and cutting capacity of microblades used in periodontal plastic surgeries. The cutting performance of the microblades was evaluated as new and after several reuses, and correlated with morphological and surface roughness changes. A sharpness testing methodology was developed, simulating surgical conditions by cutting biological (chicken breast), elastic (latex), and polymeric (mandibular model) materials. The cutting force was measured using a universal testing machine. The microblades' surface morphology alterations were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. The surface roughness was measured using optical interferometry. The results showed a statistically significant increase in cutting force and surface roughness after three reuses. Microstructural degradation was evident after the third use, indicating compromised clinical efficiency. The results highlighted the need for standardized reuse protocols for cut instruments and suggested the potential for developing resharpenable microblades to improve sustainability and cost-effectiveness in surgical practice.