Human cytomegalovirus-1 and Epstein-Barr virus-1 viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments: a split-mouth study.

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus-1 (HCMV-1) and Epstein-Barr virus-1 (EBV-1) detection in submarginal plaque is linked to diseased states of the periodontium. In the present study, we evaluated the viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments by HCMV-1 and EBV-1 in a split-mouth study. Forty dental implant abutments placed in 20 non-smokers were evaluated retrospectively. Each participant had received at least one each of titanium and zirconia abutments (in function for at least 1year). HCMV-1 and EBV-1 were evaluated in these clinically-healthy peri-implant sites' submarginal plaque biofilm at one titanium and one zirconia abutment, one healthy tooth site, and serum using polymerase chain reaction assays. Related-samples McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the differences in viral detection frequency and load, respectively. EBV-1 was detected at the titanium abutment in 60% of participants, but in none at their zirconia abutment (P=0.04). HCMV-1 was detected at the titanium abutments in 90% of participants, and at the zirconia abutments in 70% of participants. This difference was not significant (P=0.25). The differences in HCMV-1 viral load between the abutment types were insignificant (P=0.075). EBV-1 did not colonize the biofilm at the zirconia abutments as opposed to the titanium abutments in the same participants. Abutment material could contribute to differences in biofilm characteristics.