Real-Time PCR Quantification of Red Complex Bacterial DNA and Periodontal Status in Removable Partial Denture Wearers

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Periodontology
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Removable partial dentures (RPDs) alter oral microflora.
• Red complex bacteria (RCB) are linked to periodontitis and systemic diseases.
• Limited research exists on RCB in RPD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• Quantify RCB (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola) in abutment teeth of RPD users.
• Assess periodontal status of abutment and non-abutment teeth.
• Correlate microbial load with clinical periodontal indices.

Main Methods:

• Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) used for RCB quantification.
• DNA isolated from abutment teeth samples at baseline (T0) and 3 months post-insertion (T3).
• Clinical parameters recorded: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), tooth mobility (TM).

Main Results:

• Significant increase in RCB loads (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola) on abutment teeth from T0 to T3.
• Periodontal parameters showed non-significant elevations in abutment vs. non-abutment teeth post-treatment.
• Tannerella forsythia demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with periodontal indices.

Conclusions:

• Short-term RPD use leads to increased RCB colonization on abutment teeth.
• Early microbial and inflammatory shifts occur with RPD insertion.
• Further monitoring is suggested to prevent clinically evident periodontal breakdown.