Evaluation of Bacterial Accumulation on the Inner Surface of PEEK and Zirconia Secondary Telescopic Crowns

Abstract

Abdullah Kamel, Amr Badr, Gehan Fekry.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the bacterial accumulation on the inner surface of secondary telescopic crowns constructed from zirconia and PEEK Materials.
Materials and methods: Three pieces of each of the tested materials (PEEK &Zirconia) were incubated in bacterial suspensions that contained 1X106 cfu/ml of bacteria (Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668 or Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356) and the surface examined using a scanning electron microscope.
Results: Bacterial counting showed statistically significant higher values in the PEEK samples with both types of bacteria. A biofilm mass containing a large number of bacilli and little number of cocci was observed on the surface of the PEEK material while aggregates of bacilli and little amount of cocci appeared without biofilm mass on the surface of the zirconia material.
Conclusion: PEEK secondary telescopic crowns showed more bacterial accumulation with biofilm formation than zirconia secondary telescopic crowns.