Microbial colonization in the gingival sulci of abutment teeth receiving all ceramic retainers with subgingival margins need to be studied to assess the prognosis of periodontal health, which determine the eventual success of fixed partial dentures. This prospective observational study was done to evaluate the quantitative alteration in the microbial flora in the gingival sulci of abutment teeth adjacent to the edentulous space prior and after receiving all ceramic retainers over varying time intervals of 1 week, 1 month and 2 months respectively. Twenty, healthy partially edentulous patients, aged 20-50 years with single missing central incisor were selected for this prospective observational study and their microbial samples were collected from the gingival sulci of abutments adjacent to edentulous space with sterile paper points and cultured and the estimated values for microflora served as controls. The same abutments were prepared to receive all ceramic retainers with subgingival heavy chamfer marginal finish lines. The patients were recalled after 1 week, 1 month, 2 months intervals during which the collected subgingival microbial samples were cultured and the corresponding quantitative microbial alteration in the restored gingival sulci was recorded. The obtained data was statistically analysed using the student t test and repeated analysis of variance test. The results of the study inferred student t test expressed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) progressive increase in gingival sulcular microbial colonisation in the abutment teeth before [M = 2.52 ± SD 1.21(10(6)) CFU/ml] and after receiving all ceramic retainers over varying time intervals of 1 week [M = 3.25 ± SD 1.21(10(6)) CFU/ml], 1 month [M = 4.64 ± SD 1.13(10(6)) CFU/ml] and 2 months [M = 4.75 ± SD 1.16(10(6)) CFU/ml] respectively. The result of repeated analysis of variance test inferred that there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the subgingival microfloral count between the pre operative and post operative samples at 1 week, 1 month and 2 months. Subgingivally placed all-ceramic retainers with heavy chamfer finish lines in the abutment teeth demonstrated a statistically significant increase in sulcular microbial colonization over varying time intervals of 1 week, 1 month and 2 months respectively and this may affect periodontal health of abutment teeth progressively.
Keywords: All-ceramic restorations; Subgingival margins; Subgingival microflora.