Subgingival bacteria associated with hydroxylapatite-coated dental implants: morphotypes and trypsin-like enzyme activity.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the colonization of teeth and hydroxylapatite-coated dental implants by different groups of oral bacteria. Periodontal and gingival health were assessed and subgingival plaque samples were taken. Bacterial morphotypes in subgingival plaque samples were enumerated and expressed as percent of bacteria counted, and presence of trypsin-like enzymes was detected by hydrolysis of benzoyl-arginine naphthylamide (BANA). For both pooled and separate implant and teeth data, positive correlations were found between pocket depth and both BANA hydrolysis and percent spirochetes, and a negative correlation was found between pocket depth and percent cocci. With one exception, analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between implants and teeth for presence of bacterial morphotypes when considering both periodontal and gingival health.