J Periodontal Implant Sci.  2012 Dec;42(6):217-223.

Bacterial adhesion and colonization differences between zirconia and titanium implant abutments: an in vivo human study

• de Oliveira GR
• Pozzer L
• Cavalieri-Pereira L
• de Moraes
• Olate S
• de Albergaria Barbosa JR

Abstract

PURPOSE
Several parameters have been described for determining the success or failure of dental implants. The surface properties of transgingival implant components have had a great impact on the long-term success of dental implants. The purpose of this study was to compare the tendency of two periodontal pathogens to adhere to and colonize zirconia abutments and titanium alloys both in hard surfaces and soft tissues.
METHODS
Twelve patients participated in this study. Three months after implant placement, the abutments were connected. Five weeks following the abutment connections, the abutments were removed, probing depth measurements were recorded, and gingival biopsies were performed. The abutments and gingival biopsies taken from the buccal gingiva were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to compare the DNA copy numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and total bacteria. The surface free energy of the abutments was calculated using the sessile water drop method before replacement. Data analyses used the Mann Whitney U-test, and P-values below 0.05 find statistical significance.
RESULTS
The present study showed no statistically significant differences between the DNA copy numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and total bacteria for both the titanium and zirconia abutments and the biopsies taken from their buccal gingiva. The differences between the free surface energy of the abutments had no influence on the microbiological findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Zirconia surfaces have comparable properties to titanium alloy surfaces and may be suitable and safe materials for the long-term success of dental implants.

Keyword

Bacterial adhesion; Dental abutments

MeSH Terms

Alloys
Bacteria
Bacterial Adhesion
Biopsy
Coat Protein Complex I
Colon
Dental Abutments
Dental Implants
DNA
Gingiva
Humans
Porphyromonas gingivalis
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Statistics as Topic
Surface Properties
Titanium
Water
Zirconium
Alloys
Coat Protein Complex I
DNA
Dental Implants
Titanium
Water
Zirconium

Figure

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  Figure 1 The angular value of titanium abutment obtained by sessile water drop: 129.08°.

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  Figure 2 The angular value of zirconium abutment obtained by sessile water drop: 137.99°.

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  Figure 3 DNA copy numbers of titanium and zirkonium abutments. Aa.: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Pg.: Porphyromonas gingivalis.

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  Figure 4 DNA copy numbers of buccal gingival biopsies of titanium and zirkonium abutments. Aa.: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Pg.: Porphyromonas gingivalis.

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