Biofilm Formation and Migration on Miniscrew and Tooth Root Surface

Objectives: This study investigated the in vitro Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation and migration on pure titanium miniscrew and tooth root surface in 3 dimensions with the presence of periodontal ligament cells.
Methods: The Streptococcus mutans biofilms were grown by using flow system in gradient culture container. Periodontal ligament cells were cultured in 3 dimensions by soft agar gel assay and used for hold the miniscrew and tooth root vertically inside container. Bacteria suspension will be injected into container above gel level and incubated anaerobically for 2 hour. BHI medium with 8% sucrose will be continuously supplied for growing biofilm (flow rate 0.5ml/min.). Biofilm formation and migration will be observed at 24, 48 and 72 hour by SEM and CLSM respectively. Biofilm migrations distant were analyzed by on-way-ANOVA and post hoc test.
Results: Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation can be initially observed by SEM, low magnification (45x) at 24 hour in both miniscrew and tooth root samples above gel level. There are no different in pattern and shape of biofilm morphology observed between miniscrew and tooth root at each time point in higher magnification of SEM (350x). The result from CLSM indicated that there were no biofilm migrated down the gel level observed at 24 hour both in miniscrew and tooth root. Significant different of biofilm migration distant were observed between 24 hour and 48/72 hour (P<0.001), however there were no significant different between 48 and 72 hour in both miniscrew and tooth root samples (P>0.05). The biofilm on tooth root samples were migrated slightly faster at 48 and 72 hour when compare to miniscrew samples however there are not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusions: In the presence of periodontal ligament cells there are no different in Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation and migration between pure titanium miniscrew and tooth root surface.