Peri-Implant Health and the Knowing-Doing Gap—A Digital Survey on Procedures and Therapies

Abstract

Objectives: Peri-implant tissue maintenance and treatment is becoming a serious challenge in implantology. With increasing numbers of implants being placed, more cases of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis is seen. A digital survey on peri-implant disease management was issued to experts in periodontology and implantology to identify the tools and procedures most commonly used today to treat peri-implant diseases and successfully manage peri-implant health. The primary aim was to assess whether there is consensus in the choice of treatment to manage peri-implant diseases and to prevent their recurrence once treated. The secondary aim was to obtain insight into future protocols and /or devices, and the research and development needed.Materials and Methods: Participants in this digital survey were professionals specialising in periodontology, oral surgery, and implant dentistry. The questionnaire included both a series of closed- and open-ended questions. A total of 16 countries participated. The survey was sent by e-mail to 70 individuals, 66 received the survey and 37 of receivers responded, two of the participants were excluded due to insufficient filling of the survey. In the end 35 respondents completed the survey.Results: Respondents agree that the efficacy of mechanical and chemical decontamination of implant surfaces needs to be improved and better documented. It is a common opinion that the current remedies, mostly adapted from periodontal practises, do not provide effective and reliable clinical outcomes when treating peri-implant ailments. There is a general agreement amongst experts that regularly scheduled (3–6-month intervals) maintenance treatments are essential for maintaining peri-implant health in patients experiencing implant complications. Respondents are also concerned about unnecessary use of systemic antibiotics for managing peri-implant health.Conclusion: Regardless of agreements in parts, there was no observed consensus on the most effective treatment options for treating peri-implantitis. The experts all agree it is an urgent need for well-designed, long-term follow-up randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing interventions to provide an evidence-based strategy for peri-implant health management.

The Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Coated Titanium Implants: A Narrative Review

“…Implant-related infections such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis are common complications in the dental field; clinicians have no agreement about the best treatment option [ 90 ]. Implant-based factors, such as surface characteristics, might increase the risk of developing peri-implant diseases [ 91 ].…”

A Comparative Investigation of Chemical Decontamination Methods for In-Situ Cleaning of Dental Implant Surfaces

“…Managing peri-implant diseases poses significant challenges due to the lack of remedies specifically designed for treating the dental implant surface [ 14 ]. Titanium is the leading material for dental implants [ 15 ]; any treatment of this surface will affect the state of the surface on a macroscopic, microscopic and chemical level.…”

Is There a Better Biomaterial for Dental Implants than Titanium?—A Review and Meta-Study Analysis

“…The inflammatory process at the peri-implant bone region, namely peri-implantitis, is one of the significant concerns jeopardizing the long-term efficacy of implants. Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants [ 3 ]. Peri-implantitis involves severe complications at the implant site featured by the presence of pus, bleeding upon probing, deep pocket, and bone resorption [ 4 ].…”

“…Peri-implantitis involves severe complications at the implant site featured by the presence of pus, bleeding upon probing, deep pocket, and bone resorption [ 4 ]. Without successful treatment, peri-implantitis could lead to severe destruction of the supporting bone and eventual implant loss and is becoming a serious challenge in implantology [ 3 ].…”

“…Numerous attempts have been made to minimize or eliminate such bone loss. Despite this, the timing and the reason for peri-implantitis are not always obvious [ 3 , 7 ].…”