Are There Any Specific Bacteria Involved in Malodor Associated With the Dental Implant System?

Summary: Could bacteria explain bad breath after dental implants? A study linked Streptococcus viridans to malodor, while implant-brand differences were not significant. #DentalImplants #Microbiology

Fathi A ; Hashemi S ; Kalantari M H ; Ebadian B
Source: Journal of International Dental and Medical Research Published:2023

Abstract

Currently, studies focusing on specific causes of malodor associated with dental implants are scarce. The purpose of this clinical study was to compare clinical parameters and bacterial growth in a healing phase of implant systems and their relation with malodor. 60 oral samples were collected from the site of the healing abutment of 27 patients for microbial tests. Individuals were classified as those with and without malodor (31 oral samples had malodor and 29 samples were without the bad smell). The type of bacterial colony was evaluated regarding the growth of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The two positive and negative groups of malodor were compared regarding baseline and clinical characteristics About half of the patients had positive odor (51.7%) on assessment. The prominent bacteria in the group with malodor was Streptococcus viridans (90.3% vs. 24.1% in the group without malodor; p<0.001. Regarding implant systems, BioHorizon (48.4%), Intra-Lock (29%), and Medentika (22.6%) had the highest rates of malodor, respectively (p=0.245). Streptococcus viridans had a 9.33 times higher chance of positive odor compared to other groups (OR: 9.33, p=0.00). Although not statistically significant, BioHorizon and Intralock systems of the implant had 2.85 and 1.92 higher chances of malodor compared to Medentika (as reference) (p=0.099 & p=0.334, respectively). Based on the results of this study, Streptococcus viridans was the most common bacteria associated with malodor in participants with two-stage implant system. This bacterium showed 9 times higher risk factor for malodor when compared to other existing strains of bacteria. © 2023 University of Dicle. All rights reserved.