Association Between Transmucosal Depth of Osseointegrated Implants and Malodor Production

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to test the association between transmucosal depth of 2-stage dental implants and malodor production. Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine 2-stage implants were tested in 14 patients. Measurements were conducted 3 to 4 weeks following second-stage surgery. Measurements included healing abutment malodor scored using a subjective scale, volatile sulfide compounds levels measured using a sulfide monitor (Halimeter), and microbial sampling for anaerobic growth and malodor production. Results: All the malodor-related parameters measured in this study were significantly associated with the transmucosal depth. A significant increase in severity was observed concomitant with the increase in transmucosal depth. Conclusion: Based upon the data from this study of 59 two-stage implants in 14 patients, it appears that transmucosal depth of 2-stage dental implants may be an important factor affecting the presence of anaerobic bacterial population and resulting malodor production within the implant-abutment interface. (Case Series) Keywords: bacteria, dental implants, malodor, transmucosal