Influencing Factors Regarding the Severity of Peri-Implantitis and Peri-Implant Mucositis

Abstract

The scientific literature is increasingly focused on peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, which are biological outcomes of dental implant treatment.

Background/objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the two most critical complications of dental implantation, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, through the prism of different influencing factors.

Methods: We followed 40 patients, with a total number of 92 dental implants, divided into three age groups: under 35 years, between 35 and 55 years, and older than 55 years. Patients were also divided into groups according to the time since implant placement: 1-3 years, 4-7 years, and more than 7 years. The patients were examined, and periodontal pocket depth, peri-implant pocket depth, Löe-Silness gingival index, mucosal thickness, and keratinized mucosal width were recorded; bone resorption was measured on radiographs using a 2D image analysis method; and a questionnaire was also conducted.

Results: Bone resorption was highest in the 35-55 age group (3.09 ± 0.04 mm) and for implants placed 4-7 years ago (3.39 ± 0.12 mm). Females had a mean bone resorption of 3.4 ± 0.15 mm and males of 2.45 ± 0.07 mm. Statistically, there was a significant difference only in the Löe-Silness index: the 35-55 age group had the highest values (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences between the time since implant placement and the degree of bone resorption, nor between sexes. Peri-implant inflammation may occur at any age, regardless of the lifetime of the implants.

Keywords: bone resorption; peri-implant mucositis; peri-implantitis.

Figure 1

The peri-implantitis of a 36-year-old female at 5 years from implant placement: (a) intraoral aspect, (b) radiological aspect, (c) periodontal chart of the patient.

Figure 2

Lower arch: measurement points on the mesial and distal surfaces of the implants—61-year-old male patient; implant placement: 11 years ago.

Figure 3

The changes following peri-implant parameters: (a) periodontal pocket depth changes reported for age groups; (b) the width of the keratinized mucosa compared with the peri-implant periodontal pocket depth according to the time elapsed since the implant placement; (c) average values of Löe–Silness gingival index as a function of the time elapsed since implant placement.