Bidirectional flux of fluids & microbiota at implant-Abutment connection of FMD storm implant system: An in vitro study using RT-PCR

The purpose of the present microbiological study was to evaluate bacterial leakage at implant-Abutment connection level of a new type of implant (Storm implant (FMD, Falappa Medical Devices®, Rome, Italy) using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). This implant presents a polygonal external implant-Abutment connection with a geometry that provides a hex on which engage complementary abutments. To identify the capability of the implant to protect the internal space from the external environment, the passage of genetically modified Escherichia coli across implant-Abutment interface was evaluated. Four Storm implants (FMD, Falappa Medical Devices®, Rome, Italy) were immerged in a bacterial culture for 24 h and bacteria amount was measured inside implant-Abutment interface with Real-Time PCR. Bacteria were detected inside all studied implants, with a median percentage of 15% for P. gingivalis and 14% for T. forsythia. Our results are similar to those reported in the English literature. Additional studies are needed to explore the relationship in terms of microbiota between the internal implant and implant-prosthetic connection. In addition, the dynamics of internal colonization needs to be thoroughly documented in longitudinal in vivo studies. As a result, microbial leakage along the implant abutment interface was acceptable and considered the most probable explanation for peri-implantitis.