Dental Implants Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental Implants, including details on dentistry, surgery, tooth implants.

Non-surgical treatment of peri-implant pathology.

De Araújo Nobre M, Capelas C, Alves A, Almeida T, Carvalho R, Antunes E, Oliveira D, Cardador A, Maló P

Department of Clinical Dental Research, Maló Clinic, Lisbon, Portugal. clin.res.dep@clinicamalo.pt

INTRODUCTION: Peri-implant pathologies consist of an inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implants. Chlorhexidine is considered the gold standard antiseptic, with a large variety of choice in administration. In this study, a protocol for the irrigation of peri-implant pockets with a chlorhexidine gel, using a plastic needle for the delivery of the product into the peri-implant pockets is described. STUDY PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Nine patients with at least one implant presenting peri-implant pathology (inflamed soft tissue associated with bone loss around the implant) were enrolled in this prospective clinical study, and followed-up for 1 year, where clinical parameters such as modified plaque index, modified bleeding index, probing pocket depths, attachment levels were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 1 year after implementation of the treatment protocol. RESULTS: Treatment success was achieved in eight of the nine patients (and in 11 of the 13 implants) according to the success criteria adopted by the authors of this study. DISCUSSION: Infection control lies at the heart of peri-implant treatment. The control of three factors such as optimal diagnosis, removal of the aetiological factor of the disease (proper removal of debris and decontamination of the peri-implant sulcus/pocket) and a good patient's oral hygiene self-care represents the key to success, resulting in good treatment outcomes when managing peri-implant pathologies. The protocol used (irrigation of peri-implant pockets with chlorhexidine gel delivered by a plastic needle) is considered to be of utility.

Published 26 April 2006 in Int J Dent Hyg, 4(2): 84-90.
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