IMPACT OF MAXIMUM TONGUE STRENGTH ON EARLY PERI-IMPLANT BACTERIAL COLONIZATION: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Bacterial colonization around dental implants plays a critical role in early peri-implant tissue healing and inflammation. Tongue function may influence oral microbial distribution, however, its impact during the early healing phase after implant placement remains unclear. This pilot study investigated the association between maximum tongue strength (MTS) and early peri-implant bacterial colonization following dental implant surgery. Fourteen patients receiving a single dental implant in the posterior region to support a fixed crown were enrolled. MTS was measured at the anterior region two weeks after surgery, and the highest value from three measurements was recorded in kilopascals (kPa). Patients were categorized into low and high MTS groups using a cut point of 38.9 kPa, based on reported mean MTS values in Asian adult. Peri-implant gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial loads were determined by culture and expressed in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Patients in the low MTS group exhibited significantly greater increases in aerobic bacterial count between 2 to 4 weeks after implant placement compared with those in the higher MTS group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was identified for anaerobic bacterial changes. These findings suggest a potential association between maximum tongue strength and changes in aerobic bacterial colonization around dental implants during the early healing period following implant placement.

Keywords: Maximum Tongue Strength, Implant Wound Healing, Bacterial Counts