In vivo early plaque formation on pure titanium and ceramic abutments: a comparative microbiological and SEM analysis

A lack of information exists about the influence of different implant abutm ent materials on bacterial colonization and its role in the development of perimplantar infections. In order to study these aspects, removable acrylic devices, harboring samples of titanium and novel ceramic abutments (Nobel Biocare) were adapted to the molar-premolar region in 2 mandibular quadrant s of 4 volunteers. Samples of each material were collected at 6 and 24 h, 7 and 14 days. Samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy and bac terial counts were made by means of ATP detection and direct plate count. T he electron micrographs demonstrated that the bacteria colonization was alr eady present after 6 h of presence in the oral cavity. After 24 h, both the materials were covered by several layers of bacterial cells. No difference s in microbial colonization were observed between titanium and ceramic samp les. The microbiological analysis confirmed the presence of relevant amount s of microbial cells on the tested samples. The maximum of colonization was achieved after 24 h in the oral cavity and the bacterial counts remained c onstant over the 14 day period. No significant differences were observed be tween the two materials analyzed in this study. In addition, ATP-biolumines cence technology was demonstrated to be a suitable system to evaluate bacte rial colonization in the oral cavity.