Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
11:19
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
Microbial colonization in orthodontic mini-implants
Amanda Osório Ayres de Freitas1, Celuta Sales Alviano, Daniela Sales Alviano
1Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Brazilian Dental Journal
|December 5, 2012
Summary
Microbial colonization on orthodontic mini-implants remained stable over three months. Monitoring this microbial load is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of orthodontic mini-implants.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Orthodontic implantology
Background:
- Peri-implant inflammation is a key factor in the loss of secondary stability for orthodontic mini-implants.
- Understanding microbial colonization is vital for managing inflammation and ensuring mini-implant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment and evolution of microbial colonization around orthodontic mini-implants over a three-month period.
- To analyze the changes in microbial populations from the time of mini-implant installation.
Main Methods:
- Collected 150 samples from 15 mini-implants over three months.
- Analyzed microbial colonization using cell growth methods for nonspecific bacteria, Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillus casei, and Candida spp.
- Detected Porphyromonas gingivalis using 16S rDNA-directed polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in overall microbial colonization were observed across the study duration.
- A significant initial colonization of Streptococcus spp. was noted between baseline and 24 hours.
- Lactobacillus casei and Candida spp. showed insignificant colonization, and Porphyromonas gingivalis was not detected.
Conclusions:
- Microbial colonization on orthodontic mini-implants demonstrates stability over a three-month period.
- While overall colonization remained stable, initial Streptococcus spp. colonization highlights early microbial activity.
- Continuous monitoring of peri-implant microbial load by orthodontists is recommended for successful mini-implant outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:30Bacterial Signaling
Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...