Abstract
The purpose of this study was to observe bacterial attachment and plaque formation on different kinds of suture materials in vitro and in vivo. Following three kinds of suture materials, braided silk suture, braided polyester suture, and monofilament nylon suture were used throughout this study. In vitro experiment, Actinomyces viscosus RF 7, Streptococcus sanguis 10556 and Streptococcus mutans PS 14 were incubated with each suture material in phosphate buffered saline for 5 hours, in brain heart infusion broth for 24 hours. Aritificial plaque formation on each suture material was also induced using S. mutans in 5% sucrose added BHI. In vivo experiment, at the time of periodontal flap surgery, the flap was positioned so as to obtain primary closure with each suture material. One week after flap surgery, the sutures were collected as the experimental specimens. After in vitro and in vivo experiment, all suture materials were processed for SEM and observed.
The following conclusions were obtained from this study.
1) The number of attached A. viscosus, S. sanguis and S. mutans to braided silk and polyester sutures were more pronounced than that to monofilament nylon suture.
2) The amount of artificial plaque on two kinds of braided sutures were more pronounced than that on monofilament suture.
3) On two kinds of braided sutures, bacterial movement due to wicking motion were confirmed.
4) In vivo experiment, the amount of plaque formation were more pronounced on two kinds of braided sutures than that on monofilament suture. Also, the bacterial colonies were formed on the part of braided sutures which penetrated into gingival tissues.
