Taurolidine as an effective and biocompatible additive for plaque-removing techniques on implant surfaces.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of two plaque-removing techniques, plastic curettes (PC) and glycine powder airflow (GLY) in combination with taurolidine (T), chlorhexidine (CHX), or pure water (PW) as additives and compared to groups without previous treatment (NT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plaque was collected on titanium samples for 48 h in six subjects. Specimens were worn in a special splint in the upper jaw and randomly assigned to test and control groups. After biofilm removal procedures, clean implant surface (CIS) on the samples and treatment time were taken as parameters.

RESULTS: Mean CIS was determined in the following descending order: T-GLY > CHX-GLY > NT-GLY > T-PC > PW-GLY > PW-PC > CHX-PC > NT-PC. Mean treatment time was determined in the following ascending order: T-GLY < CHX-GLY < PW-GLY < NT-GLY < T-PC < CHX-PC < PW-PC < NT-PC.

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that T showed the highest CIS in the GLY and PC groups. T-GLY showed significantly more CIS than all other GLY groups. The T-PC group showed significantly more CIS than all other PC groups. The treatment times of the T groups were significantly lower than their corresponding PC or GLY groups.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the current study indicate that taurolidine seems to enhance effectiveness of plaque-removing procedures with plastic curettes and glycine powder airflow. Also, the efficiency of both treatment procedures seems to be increased.