Microbiota associated with consecutively placed loaded root-form and plate-form implants in adult Macaca mulatta...

This study describes the microbiota associated with consecutively placed root-form and plate-form implants placed in similar mandibular arches of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys and loaded with similar prostheses. The teeth and implants were maintained by monthly scaling and root planing. Twenty-four round (root-form) and 24 flat (plate-form) implants were placed in the loci of #18 and #31 in 36 adult monkeys. The microbiota around implants and mandibular molar teeth were studied quarterly from the day prostheses were loaded (Day 0) for 12 months. The microbiota were characterized by culture and dark field microscopy. Overall, levels of putative peri-implant pathogens studied declined or remained statistically unchanged at implant or mandibular molar sites. Levels of spirochetes and Porphyromonas species declined at mandibular molar teeth but increased at dental implant sites. Levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans declined significantly at implants and mandibular tooth sites during the period. No statistically significant difference was detected between levels of microorganisms colonizing root-form and plate-form implants. This study finds no significant increase in levels of putative peri-implant pathogens at root-form and plate-form implants sites in the first 12 months after prosthetic loading when maintained by monthly scaling.