The occurrence of periodontitis-related microorganisms in relation to titanium implants

The peri-implant space was examined for the presence of periodontitis-related microorganisms in 19 patients. All patients had been fitted with osseointegrated titanium implants which were clinically sound at the time of examination and all had been prescribed daily 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. In 17 patients, two contralateral fixtures in patients were selected, the remaining 2 patients had only one fixture, and associated mucosal clinical variables assessed for plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, bleeding tendency, and probing depth. The bacteriological composition of submucosal plaque samples was investigated using non-selective media and selective media for Actinobacillus actimomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi). The peri-implant tissues were healthy. Twenty-two of 37 sites had a greater proportion of anaerobes than aerobes. Aa was detected at one site. Pg was not cultivated, and Pi was present in 7 of 37 sites, comprising between 0.4% and 60.9% of the total anaerobic viable counts. Since the presence of any of these organisms may play a contributory role to the loss of the fixture, it is recommended that the submucosal plaque of implants be monitored regularly for the presence of these periodontitis-associated species.