Objectives: To analyse the long-term effect of plaque formation on implant abutments with an antibacterial coating and the ensuing host response in peri-implant tissues.
Materials and methods: Four implants were installed in each mandibular premolar region following tooth extraction in six dogs. Three months later, two test abutments with a titanium-bismuth-gallium (Ti-Bi-Ga) coating and two control titanium abutments were connected to the implants on each side of the mandible. After 2 months, ligatures were placed around the implants in one side of the mandible and plaque formation was allowed until the end of the experiment. The ligatures were removed after 4 weeks. Radiographs and microbiological samples were obtained from each implant site during the plaque formation period. Biopsies were obtained 8 months after abutment connection and prepared for histological analysis.
Results: The analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in bone loss, bacterial growth and size of inflammatory lesions between implant units with and without the Ti-Bi-Ga coating. Implant sites exposed to the short period of ligature-induced breakdown demonstrated more pronounced bone loss and bacterial growth than non-ligature sites.
Conclusions: It is suggested that a Ti-Bi-Ga coating does not prevent biofilm formation on the implant device and does not influence the ensuing host response in the adjacent peri-implant mucosa.
Keywords: bone loss; dental implant; gallium; histology; inflammation; peri-implant mucositis; peri-implantitis.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.