Streptococcus mutans Colonization on Titanium Implant Abutment with Different Hygiene Instruments

Abstract

This in vitro study was aimed to assess the differences in the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) on the titanium implant abutment surfaces after treatment with an air polishing and rubber cup with pumice powder by using a stereomicroscope. This was an experimental laboratory study which was performed at Craniofacial Science Laboratory, School of Dental Sciences, UniversitiSains Malaysia.

Fifteen DentiumCombi titanium-implant abutments were divided into three groups of treatments; control and treated which were air polishing and rubber cup with pumice powder. S. mutans were then cultured on control and treated specimens. The amounts of retained bacteria on the surface were measured by the bacterial culture method. The median amount of S. mutanslog₁₀ CFU was highest in the air polishing group and lowest in the rubber cup group with the value of 5.65(0.25) and 4.75(0.65) respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant differences among these three groups [X²(df) = 20.39(2), p-value = 0.00].The Mann-Whitney test also revealed the significant differences in median between the control and air polishing (p-value = 0.004), control and rubber cup (p-value = 0.018) as well as air polishing and rubber cup (p-value = 0.00) groups.Rubber cup with pumice powder exhibited lesser amounts of S. mutans colonization than air polishing treated surfaces, probably due to surface alteration as the rubber cup created a smoother surface topography.