The association between Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis and periimplantitis and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between T. tenax and E. gingivalis with peri-implant and periodontal diseases compared to healthy controls.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 140 participants were included in four groups in this study. The groups included 35 patients with peri-implantitis and periodontitis (IP+P group); 35 patients with peri-implant and periodontal health (IH+PH group); 35 patients with periodontitis (P group), and 35 periodontally healthy individuals (PH group). Clinical periodontal and peri-implantitis parameters were recorded. Plaque samples were taken from around teeth in P and PH groups and around implants and teeth in IP+P and IH+PH groups. The presence of T. tenaxandE. gingivalis was determined under a microscope.

RESULTS

The detection of T. tenax and E. gingivalis parasites in tooth samples was higher in the IP+P and P groups than in the IH+PH and PH groups (p<0.001). Both parasites were detected more frequently in peri-implant samples in the IP+P group than in the IH+PH group (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). There was no difference in parasite detection between tooth and peri-implant samples in the same host in the IP+P and IH+PH groups (p³0.05). The presence of T. tenax andE. gingivalis was associated with the presence of periodontal disease, and severity and grading of periodontitis independently of other factors (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The presence of T. tenax and E. gingivalis might be associated with peri-implantitis and periodontitis lesions. The detection of parasites is similar on tooth and implant surfaces in the same mouth.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Protozoa found at sites of disease may not imply a direct causal relationship with the disease; nevertheless, their detection can indicate opportunistic microbial activity or ongoing oral inflammation.