Abstract
Microleakage through access channels of screw-retained abutments (crowns) is inevitable, but previous research has suggested that certain filling materials may be better than others at reducing the amount of leakage. The purpose of this study is two-fold: first, to assess the levels of microleakage using four different materials (i.e., cotton, polyvinyl siloxane (PVS), teflon tape, and gutta percha). Next, to evaluate the potential differences between internal and external hexagonal implants on minimizing microleakage. Abutments filled with each of these materials were exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and assessed for bacterial microleakage to determine the optimal material. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in microleakage among the different materials. Overall, PVS showed the lowest microleakage levels compared to the other materials tested, which led us to suggest PVS as the best filling material, among the four tested, to prevent bacterial microleakage.