AIM: To analyze the microbial profile around teeth and implants following 
ligature removal in experimental periodontitis and peri-implantitis in dogs.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four implants with similar geometry and with two different 
surface characteristics (implant A: turned/implant B: TiUnite; NobelBiocare AB) 
were placed pairwise in the right side of the mandible 3 months after tooth 
extraction in five dogs. Experimental periodontitis and peri-implantitis were 
initiated 3 months later by ligature placement around implants and mandibular 
premolars and plaque formation. The ligatures were removed after 10 weeks. 
Microbial samples were obtained using paper points immediately after ligature 
removal, at 10 and 25 weeks after ligature removal. The microbiological analysis 
was performed by "checkerboard" DNA-DNA hybridization, including a panel of 16 
bacterial species.
RESULTS: The amount of bone loss that occurred during the period following 
ligature removal was significantly larger at implants with a modified surface 
than at implants with a turned surface and at teeth. The microbiological 
analysis revealed that the total bacterial load increased during the period 
following ligature removal and established an anaerobic Gram-negative 
microflora.
CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the large variation in regard to the microbial 
profiles makes interpretation of a correlation between disease progression and 
microbial profiles difficult.