Assessment of Bacterial Leakage at the Implant- Abutment Interface of Internal and External Connection Implants: An In Vitro Study

Assessment of Bacterial Leakage at the Implant- Abutment Interface of Internal and External Connection Implants: An In Vitro Study

The presence of misfit at the implant-abutment interface can cause the accumulation of a bacterial biofilm, which leads to peri-implant bone loss, thereby compromising the long-term outcome of osseointegrated implants. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess bacterial leakage in external and internal connection implants. Twenty-four samples were analyzed, including 12 external connection implants (Group 1) and 12 internal connection implants (Group 2). In order to assess bacterial leakage, 0.3 μL of a suspension containing Escherichia coli was inoculated in the hollow internal part of the implants. The prosthetic abutments were then installed and provided the torque recommended by the manufacturer. The samples were placed in test tubes containing a brain-heart infusion medium, and bacterial leakage was observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and at 7 and 14 days. No leakage was observed in Group 1 throughout the study period, whereas Group 2 showed leakage in 1 sample. The low amount of bacterial leakage observed at the implant-abutment interface of these samples highlights the appropriate sealing.