Dental materials and their performance for the management of screw access channels in implant-supported restorations

Dent Mater J. 2017 Mar 31;36(2):123-128. doi: 10.4012/dmj.2016-049. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

Abstract

Unsuccessfully sealed screw access channels of prosthetic implant abutments may lead to malodor or peri-implant diseases in gingival tissues adjacent to implant-supported restorations. Therefore, 72 sets of screw channel analogs with six different materials incorporated (Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), wax, gutta-percha, cavit, endofrost-pellets and cotton pellets) were exposed (2.5 h, 37°C) to Streptococcus mutans, oralis and Candida albicans suspensions. Bacterial adherence was quantified by using the fluorescence dye, Alamar Blue/resazurin, and an automated multifunctional reader. For quantification of fungal adherence the ATP-based bioluminescence approach was used. High relative fluorescence and luminescence intensities (>10,000), indicating high adhesion of streptococci and fungi were found for cotton and endofrost-pellets and low intensities (<5,000) for wax, gutta-percha, cavit and PTFE. The quantity of bacterial and fungal adhesion differed significantly between the assessed various sealing materials. In conclusion and within the limitations of this study, wax, gutta-percha, cavit and PTFE should be preferred as sealing materials.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Screws*
  • Dental Leakage
  • Dental Materials*
  • Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported*
  • Gutta-Percha
  • Humans
  • Root Canal Filling Materials

Substances

  • Dental Materials
  • Root Canal Filling Materials
  • Gutta-Percha