Assessment of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Prevotella intermedia Counts around Healthy Implants, Diseased Implants and Sound Teeth: A Preliminary Study

Background. This study aimed to assess Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Prevotella intermedia (PI) counts in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) around healthy implants, diseased implants and sound teeth.

Methods. Eight patients (four males and four females), who had healthy implants, implants with peri-implantitis and sound teeth, were selected. Samples (GCF) were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The above-mentioned bacteria were detected and counted. Data analysis in RT-PCR was carried out based on the standard curve using Prism software to compare Pi and Aa counts between the three areas (GCF around sound teeth, healthy implants and implants with peri-implantitis).

Results. Pi counts were significantly higher in GCF around implants with peri-implantitis (8 implants) than around healthy implants (8 implants) (P<0.001) and sound teeth (8) (P=0.012). No significant differences were found in Pi counts in GCF around healthy implants and sound teeth (P=0.063). Aa counts in GCF around implants with peri-implantitis were significantly higher than those around healthy implants (P=0.002) and sound teeth (P=0.024). No significant differences were noted in Aa counts in GCF around healthy implants and sound teeth (P=0.57).

Conclusion. Aa and Pi counts in GCF around diseased implants were higher than around healthy implants and sound teeth. Also, Aa counts were significantly higher than Pi counts.