The association between Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis and periimplantitis and periodontitis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between T. tenax and E. gingivalis with peri-implant and periodontal diseases compared to healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 participants were included in four groups in this study. The groups included 35 patients with peri-implantitis and periodontitis (IP+P group); 35 patients with peri-implant and periodontal health (IH+PH group); 35 patients with periodontitis (P group), and 35 periodontally healthy individuals (PH group). Clinical periodontal and peri-implantitis parameters were recorded. Plaque samples were taken from around teeth in P and PH groups and around implants and teeth in IP+P and IH+PH groups. The presence of T. tenaxandE. gingivalis was determined under a microscope. RESULTS: The detection of T. tenax and E. gingivalis parasites in tooth samples was higher in the IP+P and P groups than in the IH+PH and PH groups (p<0.001). Both parasites were detected more frequently in peri-implant samples in the IP+P group than in the IH+PH group (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). There was no difference in parasite detection between tooth and peri-implant samples in the same host in the IP+P and IH+PH groups (p³0.05). The presence of T. tenax andE. gingivalis was associated with the presence of periodontal disease, and severity and grading of periodontitis independently of other factors (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of T. tenax and E. gingivalis might be associated with peri-implantitis and periodontitis lesions. The detection of parasites is similar on tooth and implant surfaces in the same mouth. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Protozoa found at sites of disease may not imply a direct causal relationship with the disease; nevertheless, their detection can indicate opportunistic microbial activity or ongoing oral inflammation.