Long-term outcomes of dental implants with a titanium plasma-sprayed surface: a 20-year prospective case series study in partially edentulous patients

BACKGROUND

Long-term studies of ≥10 years are important milestones to get a better understanding of potential factors causing implant failures or complications.

PURPOSE

The present study investigated the long-term outcomes of titanium dental implants with a rough, microporous surface (titanium plasma sprayed [TPS]) and the associated biologic and technical complications in partially edentulous patients with fixed dental prostheses over a 20-year follow-up period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven patients, who received 95 implants in the 1980s, were examined with well-established clinical and radiographic parameters. Based on these findings, each implant was classified as either successful, surviving, or failed.

RESULTS

Ten implants in nine patients were lost during the observation period, resulting in an implant survival rate of 89.5%. Radiographically, 92% of the implants exhibited crestal bone loss below 1 mm between the 1- and 20-year follow-up examinations. Only 8% yielded peri-implant bone loss of >1 mm and none exhibited severe bone loss of more than 1.8 mm. During the observation period, 19 implants (20%) experienced a biologic complication with suppuration. Of these 19 implants, 13 implants (13.7%) had been treated and were successfully maintained over the 20-year follow-up period. Therefore, the 20-year implant success rate was 75.8 or 89.5% depending on the different success criteria. Technical complications were observed in 32%.

CONCLUSION

The present study is the first to report satisfactory success rates after 20 years of function of dental implants with a TPS surface in partially edentulous patients.

PGE2, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha responses in diabetics as modifiers of periodontal disease expression

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease that affects more than 12 million people in the United States and represents a risk factor for periodontitis with odds ratios of 2.1 to 3.0. New data support the concept that in diabetes-associated periodontitis, the altered host inflammatory response plays a critical role. We have recently examined the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) mediator level, monocytic secretion, and clinical presentation of 39 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and 64 non-diabetic patients with various degrees of periodontal health and disease. First, we found that there was an unexpected high level of GCF mediators among the IDDM subjects, even in the gingivitis and mild periodontitis patients. Furthermore, the GCF and monocytic mediator responses were obviously bimodal in distribution with respect to periodontal status. Gingivitis patients and mild periodontitis patients represented one low response group, and the moderate and severe periodontitis subjects the high response group. Accordingly, these 4 periodontal subgroups were pooled to form 2 main groups for analyses--group A (AAP Types I-II) and group B (AAP Types III-IV). Diabetics had significantly higher GCF levels of both PGE2 and IL-1 beta when compared to non-diabetic controls with similar periodontal status. Within the diabetic group, the GCF levels of these inflammatory mediators were almost 2-fold higher in group B subjects when compared to diabetics from group A. Among diabetics, GCF TNF-alpha levels were only marginally detectable and no significant difference was found between group A and group B patients. Insulin-dependent diabetic patients with gingivitis or mild periodontitis (group A) and moderate to severe periodontitis (group B) have abnormal monocytic inflammatory secretion in response to LPS challenge from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) as compared to non-diabetic periodontal patients. Data suggest that the diabetic state results in a significantly upregulated monocytic secretion of PGE2 (4.2-fold), IL-1 beta (4.4-fold), and TNF-alpha (4.6-fold) when compared to non-diabetic controls. Within diabetics, LPS dose-response curves demonstrated that monocytes from group B patients secreted approximately 3 times more PGE2 and 6.2 times more TNF-alpha than those from group A; however, there was no significant difference in monocytic IL-1 beta secretion between the 2 diabetic groups. This upregulated monocytic trait is thought to exist independently of the presence of severe periodontal disease since, in non-diabetic patients with adult periodontitis, Gram-negative bacterial infections alone are not sufficient to elicit a systemic hyperresponsive monocytic trait. Between group A and group B diabetics, there was no significant difference in metabolic control as expressed by mean level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). In conclusion, our data suggest that diabetic patients have exaggerated inflammatory responses when compared to non-diabetic controls. Furthermore, within diabetics, individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis (group B) have significantly elevated monocytic secretion of PGE2 and TNF-alpha upon LPS challenge and significantly higher GCF levels of PGE2 and IL-1 beta when compared to patients with gingivitis or mild periodontal disease (group A). Thus, we suggest that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for more severe periodontal disease because, as compared to non-diabetics, diabetic subjects react with an abnormally high degree of inflammation to an equivalent bacterial burden.

Peri-implant mucositis

OBJECTIVES

This narrative review was prepared for the 2017 World Workshop of the American Academy of Periodontology and European Federation of Periodontology to address key questions related to the clinical condition of peri-implant mucositis, including: 1) the definition of peri-implant mucositis, 2) conversion of peri-implant health to the biofilm-induced peri-implant mucositis lesion, 3) reversibility of peri-implant mucositis, 4) the long-standing peri-implant mucositis lesion, 5) similarities and differences between peri-implant mucositis at implants and gingivitis at teeth, and 6) risk indicators/factors for peri-implant mucositis.

METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed) and The Cochrane Library up to and including July 31, 2016, was carried out using the search strategy (peri-implant[All Fields] AND ("mucositis"[MeSH Terms] OR "mucositis"[All Fields])) OR (periimplant[All Fields] AND mucosits[All Fields]). Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional studies and review papers that focused on risk factors/indicators for peri-implant mucositis as well as experimental peri-implant mucositis studies in animals and humans were included.

FINDINGS

Peri-implant mucositis is an inflammatory lesion of the soft tissues surrounding an endosseous implant in the absence of loss of supporting bone or continuing marginal bone loss. A cause-and-effect relationship between experimental accumulation of bacterial biofilms around titanium dental implants and the development of an inflammatory response has been demonstrated. The experimental peri-implant mucositis lesion is characterized by an inflammatory cell infiltrate present within the connective tissue lateral to the barrier epithelium. In long-standing peri-implant mucositis, the inflammatory cell infiltrate is larger in size than in the early (3-week) experimental peri-implant mucositis lesion. Biofilm-induced peri-implant mucositis is reversible at the host biomarker level once biofilm control is reinstituted. Reversal of the clinical signs of inflammation may take longer than 3 weeks. Factors identified as risk indicators for peri-implant mucositis include biofilm accumulation, smoking, and radiation. Further evidence is required for potential risk factors, including diabetes, lack of keratinized mucosa, and presence of excess luting cement.

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-implant mucositis is caused by biofilm accumulation which disrupts the host-microbe homeostasis at the implant-mucosa interface, resulting in an inflammatory lesion. Peri-implant mucositis is a reversible condition at the host biomarker level. Therefore, the clinical implication is that optimal biofilm removal is a prerequisite for the prevention and management of peri-implant mucositis. An understanding of peri-implant mucositis is important because it is considered a precursor for peri-implantitis.

Risk factors associated with the longevity of multi-rooted teeth. Long-term outcomes after active and supportive periodontal therapy

AIM

To investigate risk factors for the loss of multi-rooted teeth (MRT) in subjects treated for periodontitis and enrolled in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 172 subjects were examined before (T0) and after active periodontal therapy (APT)(T1) and following a mean of 11.5 ± 5.2 (SD) years of SPT (T2). The association of risk factors with loss of MRT was analysed with multilevel logistic regression. The tooth was the unit of analysis.

RESULTS

Furcation involvement (FI) = 1 before APT was not a risk factor for tooth loss compared with FI = 0 (p = 0.37). Between T0 and T2, MRT with FI = 2 (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.68, 5.06, p = 0.0001) and FI = 3 (OR: 6.85, 95% CI: 3.40, 13.83, p < 0.0001) were at a significantly higher risk to be lost compared with those with FI = 0. During SPT, smokers lost significantly more MRT compared with non-smokers (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.35, p = 0.04). Non-smoking and compliant subjects with FI = 0/1 at T1 lost significantly less MRT during SPT compared with non-compliant smokers with FI = 2 (OR: 10.11, 95% CI: 2.91, 35.11, p < 0.0001) and FI = 3 (OR: 17.18, 95% CI: 4.98, 59.28, p < 0.0001) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

FI = 1 was not a risk factor for tooth loss compared with FI = 0. FI = 2/3, smoking and lack of compliance with regular SPT represented risk factors for the loss of MRT in subjects treated for periodontitis.

Temporal sequence of hard and soft tissue healing around titanium dental implants

The objective of the present review was to summarize the evidence available on the temporal sequence of hard and soft tissue healing around titanium dental implants in animal models and in humans. A search was undertaken to find animal and human studies reporting on the temporal dynamics of hard and soft tissue integration of titanium dental implants. Moreover, the influence of implant surface roughness and chemistry on the molecular mechanisms associated with osseointegration was also investigated. The findings indicated that the integration of titanium dental implants into hard and soft tissue represents the result of a complex cascade of biological events initiated by the surgical intervention. Implant placement into alveolar bone induces a cascade of healing events starting with clot formation and continuing with the maturation of bone in contact with the implant surface. From a genetic point of view, osseointegration is associated with a decrease in inflammation and an increase in osteogenesis-, angiogenesis- and neurogenesis-associated gene expression during the early stages of wound healing. The attachment and maturation of the soft tissue complex (i.e. epithelium and connective tissue) to implants becomes established 6-8 weeks following surgery. Based on the findings of the present review it can be concluded that improved understanding of the mechanisms associated with osseointegration will provide leads and targets for strategies aimed at enhancing the clinical performance of titanium dental implants.

Antimicrobial therapy using a local drug delivery system (Arestin) in the treatment of peri-implantitis. I: Microbiological outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To assess the microbiological outcome of local administration of minocycline hydrochloride microspheres 1 mg (Arestin) in cases with peri-implantitis and with a follow-up period of 12 months.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After debridement, and local administration of chlorhexidine gel, peri-implantitis cases were treated with local administration of minocycline microspheres (Arestin). The DNA-DNA checkerboard hybridization method was used to detect bacterial presence during the first 360 days of therapy.

RESULTS

At Day 10, lower bacterial loads for 6/40 individual bacteria including Actinomyces gerensceriae (P<0.1), Actinomyces israelii (P<0.01), Actinomyces naeslundi type 1 (P<0.01) and type 2 (P<0.03), Actinomyces odontolyticus (P<0.01), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P<0.01) and Treponema socranskii (P<0.01) were found. At Day 360 only the levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were lower than at baseline (mean difference: 1x10(5); SE difference: 0.34x10(5), 95% CI: 0.2x10(5) to 1.2x10(5); P<0.03). Six implants were lost between Days 90 and 270. The microbiota was successfully controlled in 48%, and with definitive failures (implant loss and major increase in bacterial levels) in 32% of subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

At study endpoint, the impact of Arestin on A. actinomycetemcomitans was greater than the impact on other pathogens. Up to Day 180 reductions in levels of Tannerella forsythia, P. gingivalis, and Treponema denticola were also found. Failures in treatment could not be associated with the presence of specific pathogens or by the total bacterial load at baseline. Statistical power analysis suggested that a case control study would require approximately 200 subjects.

Oral health-related quality of life of patients rehabilitated with fixed and removable implant-supported dental prostheses

Dental implants have become a mainstream treatment approach in daily practice, and because of their high survival rates over time, they have become the preferred treatment option for prosthetic rehabilitation in many situations. Despite the relatively high predictability of implant therapy and high costs to patients, patient perceptions of success and patient-reported outcome measures have become increasingly significant in implant dentistry. Increasing numbers of publications deal with oral health-related quality of life and/or patient-reported outcome measures. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the available evidence on oral health-related quality of life of fully and partially dentate patients rehabilitated with fixed and removable implant-supported dental prostheses. A comprehensive electronic search was performed on publications in English up to 2021. A selection of standardized questionnaires and scales used for the evaluation of oral health-related quality of life were analyzed and explained. The analysis encompassed three aspects: a functional evaluation of oral health-related quality of life, an esthetic assessment of oral health-related quality of life, and a cost-related evaluation of oral health-related quality of life for rehabilitation with dental implants. The data demonstrated that the preoperative expectations of patients markedly affected the outcomes perceived by the patients. As expected, reconstructions supported by implants substantially improved the stability of conventional dentures and allowed improved function and patient satisfaction. However, from a patient's perspective, oral health-related quality of life was not significantly greater for dental implants compared with conventional tooth-supported prostheses. The connection of the implants to the prostheses with locators or balls indicated high oral health-related quality of life. The data also suggest that patient expectation is not a good predictor of treatment outcome. In terms of esthetic outcomes, the data clearly indicate that patients' perceptions and clinicians' assessments differed, with those of clinicians yielding higher standards. There were no significant differences found between the esthetic oral health-related quality of life ratings for soft tissue-level implants compared with those for bone-level implants. Comparison of all-ceramic and metal-ceramic restorations showed no significant differences in patients' perceptions in terms of esthetic outcomes. Depending on the choice of outcome measure and financial marginal value, supporting a conventional removable partial denture with implants is cost-effective when the patient is willing to invest more to achieve a higher oral health-related quality of life. In conclusion, the oral health-related quality of life of patients rehabilitated with implant-supported dental prostheses did not show overall superiority over conventional prosthetics. Clinicians' and patients' evaluations, especially of esthetic outcomes, are, in the majority of cases, incongruent. Nevertheless, patient-reported outcomes are important in the evaluation of function, esthetics, and the cost-effectiveness of treatment with implant-supported dental prostheses, and should be taken into consideration in daily practice.

Immediate implant placement with transmucosal healing in areas of aesthetic priority: A multicentre randomized-controlled clinical trial I. Surgical outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical outcomes of standard, cylindrical, screw-shaped to novel tapered, transmucosal (Straumann Dental implants immediately placed into extraction sockets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this randomized-controlled clinical trial, outcomes were evaluated over a 3-year observation period. This report deals with the need for bone augmentation, healing events, implant stability and patient-centred outcomes up to 3 months only. Nine centres contributed a total of 208 immediate implant placements. All surgical and post-surgical procedures and the evaluation parameters were discussed with representatives of all centres during a calibration meeting. Following careful luxation of the designated tooth, allocation of the devices was randomly performed by a central study registrar. The allocated SLA titanium implant was installed at the bottom or in the palatal wall of the extraction socket until primary stability was reached. If the extraction socket was >or=1 mm larger than the implant, guided bone regeneration was performed simultaneously (Bio Oss and BioGide. The flaps were then sutured. During non-submerged transmucosal healing, everything was done to prevent infection. At surgery, the need for augmentation and the degree of wound closure was verified. Implant stability was assessed clinically and by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at surgery and after 3 months. Wound healing was evaluated after 1, 2, 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively.

RESULTS

The demographic data did not show any differences between the patients receiving either standard cylindrical or tapered implants. All implants yielded uneventful healing with 15% wound dehiscences after 1 week. After 2 weeks, 93%, after 6 weeks 96%, and after 12 weeks 100% of the flaps were closed. Ninety percent of both implant designs required bone augmentation. Immediately after implantation, RFA values were 55.8 and 56.7 and at 3 months 59.4 and 61.1 for cylindrical and tapered implants, respectively. Patient-centred outcomes did not differ between the two implant designs. However, a clear preference of the surgeon's perception for the appropriateness of the novel-tapered implant was evident.

CONCLUSIONS

This RCT has demonstrated that tapered or standard cylindrical implants yielded clinically equivalent short-term outcomes after immediate implant placement into the extraction socket.

Adjunctive laser or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy to non-surgical mechanical instrumentation in patients with untreated periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To compare the adjunctive effects of lasers or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) to non-surgical mechanical instrumentation alone in untreated periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two focused questions were addressed using the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome criteria as follows: in patients with untreated periodontitis, (a) does laser application provide adjunctive effects on probing pocket depth (PPD) changes compared with non-surgical instrumentation alone? and (b) does application of aPDT provide adjunctive effects on PPD changes compared with non-surgical instrumentation alone? Both randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were included. Results of the meta-analysis are expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Out of 1,202 records, 10 articles for adjunctive laser and 8 for adjunctive aPDT were included. With respect to PPD changes, 1 meta-analysis including 2 articles (total n = 42; split-mouth design) failed to identify a statistically significant difference (WMD = 0.35 mm; 95%CI: -0.04/0.73; p = .08) in favour of adjunctive aPDT (wavelength range 650-700 nm). In terms of adjunctive laser application, a high variability of clinical outcomes at 6 months was noted. Two articles included patient-reported outcomes and 10 reported on the presence/absence of harms/adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence on adjunctive therapy with lasers and aPDT is limited by (a) the low number of controlled studies and (b) the heterogeneity of study designs. Patient-reported benefits remain to be demonstrated.

Adjunctive local antibiotic therapy in the treatment of peri-implantitis II: clinical and radiographic outcomes

AIM

To monitor over 12 months clinical and radiographic changes occurring after adjunctive local delivery of minocycline microspheres for the treatment of peri-implantitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 25 partially edentulous subjects, 31 implants diagnosed with peri-implantitis were treated. Three weeks after oral hygiene instruction, mechanical debridement and local antiseptic cleansing using 0.2% chlorhexidine gel, baseline (Day 0) parameters were recorded. Minocycline microspheres (Arestin) were locally delivered to each implant site with bone loss and a probing pocket depth (PPD) >or=5 mm. Rescue therapy with Arestin was allowed at Days 180 and 270 at any site exhibiting an increase in PPD>or=2 mm from the previous visit. The following clinical parameters were recorded at four sites/implant at Day 0, 10, 30, 60, 90, 180, 270 and 360: PPD, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PlI).

RESULTS

Six implants in six subjects were either rescued or exited because of persisting active peri-implantitis. Successful implants showed a statistically significant reduction in both PPD and percentage of sites with BOP between baseline and Day 360 (P<0.05). At mesial implant sites, the mean PPD reduction amounted to 1.6 mm (95% CI: 0.9-2.2 mm, P<0.001) and was accompanied by a statistically significant reduction of the BOP value (P<0.001). Binary regression analysis showed that the clinical parameters and smoking history could not discriminate between successfully treated and rescued or exited implants at any observation time point.

CONCLUSION

Non-surgical mechanical treatment of peri-implantitis lesions with adjunctive local delivery of microencapsulated minocycline led to positive effects on clinical parameters up to 12 months.

The association of the composite IL-1 genotype with periodontitis progression and/or treatment outcomes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Genetically transmitted traits such as cytokine gene polymorphisms may accentuate the host inflammatory response to the bacterial challenge and influence susceptibility to periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the evidence of an association between the interleukin-1 (IL-1) composite genotype, i.e. presence of the allele 2 in the gene clusters IL-1A-889 and in IL-1B +3953, and periodontitis progression and/or treatment outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on the focused question, a search was conducted for longitudinal clinical trials comparing progression of periodontitis and/or treatment outcomes in IL-1 genotype-positive (carrying allele 2) and IL-1 genotype-negative (not carrying allele 2) subjects. A search in the National Library of Medicine computerized bibliographic database MEDLINE and a manual search were performed. Selection of publications, extraction of data and validity assessment were made independently by two reviewers.

RESULTS

The search provided 122 titles of which 11 longitudinal publications were included. The heterogeneity of the data prevented the performance of a meta-analysis. While findings from some publications rejected a possible role of IL-1 composite genotype on progression of periodontitis after various therapies, other reported a prognostic value for disease progression of the positive IL-1 genotype status. When assessed on a multivariate risk assessment model, several publications concluded that the assessment of the IL-1 composite genotype in conjunction with other covariates (e.g. smoking and presence of specific bacteria) may provide additional information on disease progression. The small sample size of the available publications, however, requires caution in the interpretation of the results.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, (i) there is insufficient evidence to establish if a positive IL-1 genotype status contributes to progression of periodontitis and/or treatment outcomes. Therefore, (ii) results obtained with commercially available tests should be interpreted with caution.

Early loading (2 or 6 weeks) of sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) ITI® implants in the posterior mandible

The aim of this 1-year prospective controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of early loading of ITI solid screw titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface on clinical and radiographic parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-seven consecutively admitted patients presenting bilateral edentulous posterior mandibular areas and in need of prosthetic reconstruction were recruited. Sixty-seven ITI standard solid screw implants with an SLA surface, a diameter of 4.1 mm and a length of 8, 10 or 12 mm were installed bilaterally in molar and premolar areas according to a one-stage surgical protocol. One week (test) and 5 weeks (control) after implant placement, solid ITI prosthetic abutments were connected using a torque of 35 N cm. No provisional restoration was fabricated. Two weeks (test) and 6 weeks (control) after implant placement, porcelain-fused-to-metal single-tooth crowns were cemented. Clinical measurements were obtained at day 0 and 2, 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks thereafter. Periapical radiographs were taken immediately after implant placement, after 6 weeks and at the 1-year examination.

RESULTS

After 1 year, implant survival was 100%. Two test and one control implants rotated at the time of abutment connection and were left unloaded for 12 additional weeks. At the 1-year examination, no statistically significant differences were found between the test and control sites with respect to pocket probing depths (2.6 mm +/- 0.5 vs. 2.7 mm +/- 0.5), mean clinical attachment levels (3.1 mm +/- 0.4 vs. 3.2 mm +/- 0.5), mean percentages of sites bleeding on probing (9.7% vs. 8.3%), mean widths of keratinized mucosa (1.8 mm +/- 0.4 vs. 1.9 mm +/- 0.5), mean PerioTest values (-1.4 PTV +/- 0.9 vs. -1.6 PTV +/- 0.8) or mean crestal bone loss measurements (0.57 mm +/- 0.49 vs. 0.72 mm +/- 0.50).

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, loading of titanium implants with an SLA surface as early as 2 weeks did not appear to jeopardize the osseointegration healing process in the posterior mandible. Furthermore, implants rotating at 35 N cm, if left unloaded for additional 12 weeks, did not negatively affect clinical and radiographic outcomes.

The Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Selective and Non-Selective) on the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases

The objective was to review the literature on the effects of selective and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the treatment of periodontal diseases. A search of MEDLINE was conducted and articles published in English until December 2003 were included. The results from in vitro and animal experiments as well as from human clinical trials are presented. Non-selective cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitors used in periodontal research include compounds such as aspirin, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, naproxen and piroxicam. Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors represent a new group of pharmaceutical products termed "coxibs" that include meloxicam, nimesulide, etodolac and celecoxib. Evidence from animal experiments and clinical trials documents that selective and non-selective NSAIDs are mainly responsible for the stabilization of periodontal conditions by reducing the rate of alveolar bone resorption. This is achieved through local inhibition of both enzymes (e.g. COX-1 and COX-2) responsible for the synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites. Evidence shows that the effects of NSAIDs drop off rapidly after drug withdrawal. One of the major advantages of selective COX-2 inhibition is the reduction of adverse systemic effects. Although some studies present promising results, no data from long-term, multicenter prospective clinical trials are yet available for determining whether these therapeutic effects can be retained on a long-term basis. Many of these compounds, such as flurbiprofen, are readily absorbed through the gingival tissues. Therefore, the development of topical NSAIDs formulations (e.g. gels, toothpastes, rinses) with a daily application seems to be of particular interest. This may help to further reduce adverse systemic effects of non-selective NSAIDs in the long-term host modulation of periodontitis-susceptible patients.

Efficacy of patient-administered mechanical and/or chemical plaque control protocols in the management of peri-implant mucositis. A systematic review

AIM

To systematically assess the efficacy of patient-administered mechanical and/or chemical plaque control protocols in the management of peri-implant mucositis (PM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Randomized (RCTs) and Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) were identified through an electronic search of three databases complemented by manual search. Identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of studies was performed independently by two reviewers. Studies without professional intervention or with only mechanical debridement professionally administered were included. Quality assessment was performed by means of the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias.

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs with a follow-up from 3 to 24 months were included. Definition of PM was lacking or heterogeneously reported. Complete resolution of PM was not achieved in any study. One study reported 38% of patients with complete resolution of PM. Surrogate end-point outcomes of PM therapy were often reported. The choice of control interventions showed great variability. The efficacy of powered toothbrushes, a triclosan-containing toothpaste and adjunctive antiseptics remains to be established. High quality of methods and reporting was found in four studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Professionally- and patient-administered mechanical plaque control alone should be considered the standard of care in the management of PM. Therapy of PM is a prerequisite for the prevention of peri-implantitis.