To Assess the Adequacy of Antimicrobial Sealing gel and O-ring at the Implant-Abutment Interface to Prevent the Microleakage - An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: Although, there are numerous treatment options, periimplantitis remains a problem in implantology that has yet to be adequately handled. Microleakage, which promotes peri-implantitis by reinfecting the implant interior areas with microbes, is one element to consider. Purpose: To evaluate the adequacy of antimicrobial sealing gel (Gapseal) and O-ring in preventing the bacterial infiltration of staphylococcus aureus into the internal surface of the implant-abutment interface. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty samples were divided into three groups (n=40) based on different sealing materials: group I (unsealed); group II (Gapseal); group III (O-ring).To ensure sterility, one implant from each group was incubated at random. The remaining implant and abutment assemblies were attached and incubated in a nutrient solution containing staphylococcus aureus for the next 24 hours. After incubation, samples were decontaminated by immersing them in a 2 percent sodium hypochlorite solution for 30 minutes followed by normal saline for 5 minutes. The assemblies were disassembled and placed in the test tubes containing sterile nutrient solution; the test tubes were agitated to ensure that nutrient solution appropriately contact the inner surfaces of implant abutment assemblies. This bacterial suspension was injected onto Nutrient agar plates and incubated for 24 hours. The resultant colonies that appear on the agar plate were counted with naked eyes. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test. On average, the number of bacterial colonies was the minimum (= 4.4) in Group-II, followed by that (= 19.1) in Group-III and the maximum (= 29.2) in Group-I. Conclusion: The application of Gapseal at the implant-abutment interface reduces microbial leakage and possibly increases the survival rate of implant-assisted restorations.