The microbial flora associated with stable endosseous implants

Eleven patients with 36 stable endosseous implants in function for at least six months were selected for culturing in this study. Each patient had been restored with a mandibular implant-borne bar overdenture. The bacterial samples were taken from the superior aspect of the implants after bar and abutment removal. The plaque specimens contained predominantly Gram-positive microflora, although Gram-negative species were present in low numbers. This study serves to corroborate previously published reports regarding the characterization of the microflora associated with stable endosseous implants.