Microbial Assessment of Two Different Abutment Designs in Peri-implant Sulcus and Implant Abutment Interface: A Case Control Postloading Study

This study evaluates the microbial colonization in the peri-implant sulci and in implant-abutment interfaces of Laser-Lok implants (BioHorizons) with lasermicrogrooved abutments (test group) and machined abutments (control group) 18 months after functional loading Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed significantly greater total and specific microbial load in both the periimplant sulcus and implant-abutment interface in the control group (P ≤ .05) Similarly, there was a significant reduction in the radiographic crestal bone loss in the test group (P ≤ .05) In total, 14 patients were assessed for clinical and radiographic parameters and microbial evaluation Peptostreptococcus micros and Porphyromonas gingivalis were positively correlated with site-specific plaque scores and bleeding scores, and mean crestal bone loss, respectively Hence, the authors propose using Laser-Lok implants with laser-microgrooved abutments to reduce microbial colonization and consequently preserve the crestal bone levels.