Objectives: To evaluate the effect of various surface pretreatment protocols on surface roughness characteristics of zirconia ceramics. Methods: TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized by alkaline hydrothermal method. Twenty zirconia disc specimens (5 mm in diameter × 3 mm thick) were prepared and randomly divided into two groups (n=10): sandblasting with Al₂O₃ (Group I); TiO₂ nanotubes deposition (Group II). Surface roughness (Ra, µm) was measured using a contact profilometer under standardized conditions. Data were statistically analyzed using independent-samples t-test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the mean surface roughness of Group II (0.97) was higher than that of Group I (0.68), with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, TiO₂ nanotubes surface modification significantly enhanced zirconia surface roughness.