In vivo plaque formation on implant materials

Plaque formation was studied in vivo by setting different implant materials on gingiva. The number of adhering viable bacteria depended on material surface properties 4 hours after setting, but not 48 hours after setting. The formation of pellicle-like thin layers and subsequent covering by lamellarly formed plaque were observed on the surfaces of all materials. Streptococcus species were predominant at the 4-hour setting time and anaerobes increased at the 48-hour setting time; this was common to all materials. The results indicate that surface properties of the implants influence early bacterial adherence, but do not influence bacterial flora or plaque maturation.