Bacterial Leakage at Implant-Abutment Interface With Different Intermediate Materials

A gap exists at the implant-abutment interface in two-piece implants and can serve as a reservoir of bacteria and compromise the health of peri-implant tissue. This study aimed to compare the effect of different intermediate materials on bacterial leakage at the implant-abutment interface. A total of 75 implants were divided into 5 groups (n = 15) based on the material applied at the implant-abutment connection: (1) Atridox, (2) chlorhexidine, (3) Gapseal silicone, (4) saliva, and (5) no material. All the implants were inoculated with 0.1 μL of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) suspension, and then the respective material was applied. The abutments were connected to the implants, and appropriate torque was applied as recommended by the manufacturer (Implantium, Dentium, Korea, Seoul). Bacterial leakage was determined by evaluating the turbidity of the broth. Bacterial contamination was found in all samples at different times; in groups 1, 2 and 3, contamination was noted after 7, 5, and 6 days, respectively, on average. Contamination occurred averagely after 4 days in groups 4 and 5. The present study showed that Atridox applied at the implant-abutment interface significantly delayed bacterial leakage.