A LONGITUDINAL MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY ON OSSEOINTEGRATED TITANIUM IMPLANTS IN PARTIALLY EDENTULOUS PATIENTS

The aim was to longitudinally follow the colonization of putative peri odontal pathogens on titanium implants in partially edentulous patient s. Nineteen individuals, who were partially edentulous and were on the waiting-list to be treated with titanium fixtures, were included in t he study. They were treated for periodontal disease with oral hygiene instructions and supra- and subgingival debridement and were left for maintenance. Full-mouth recordings of each patient were performed at b aseline, including attachment level and probing pocket depth. Bleeding was provoked and visible plaque were registered. Subgingival samples were taken for examination of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella int ermedia and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Bridge connection wa s completed 1 month after abutment connection. The bone level was regi stered on radiographs. The patients were followed with clinical regist rations and subgingival samples at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. No signifi cant changes in pocket depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing or plaque score occurred during the experimental period. The number of i ndividuals positive at teeth and abutments for the various bacterial s pecies reached approximately similar levels at 6 months. No significan t changes over time were seen. Comparison between bone height, seen on radiographs, at abutments after 2, 12 and 36 months gave only 3 sites with bone loss of > 0. 5 mm. All these sites were found in one patien t and were accompanied by P. intermedia.