BACKGROUND

Peri-implantitis is a frequent disease that may lead to implant loss. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the clinical results of a new non-surgical treatment protocol.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with dental implants affected by peri-implantitis were treated with a multiple anti-infective non-surgical treatment (MAINST) which included two steps: 1) supra-gingival decontamination of the lesion and sub-gingival treatment with a controlled-release topical doxycycline; 2) after one week, a session of supra and sub gingival air polishing with Erythritol powder and ultrasonic debridement (where calculus was present) of the whole oral cavity was performed along with a second application of topical doxycycline around the infected implant. Primary outcome measures were: implant failure; complications and adverse events; recurrence of peri-implantitis; secondary outcome measure were presence of Plaque (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD). Recession (REC), Relative Attachment level (RAL).

RESULTS

Neither implant failure nor complications nor adverse events were reported. Statistically (P<0.01) and clinically significant reductions between baseline and 1 year of PI (100% vs. 13.9%, 95% CI: 72.4% to 93.7%); BOP (98.5% vs. 4.5%, 95% CI: 85.4% to 98.5%) and PPD (7.89 vs. 3.16 mm, 95% CI: -5.67 to -3.77), were detected. At baseline, all 15 patients had a PPD>5 mm at the affected implant(s), whereas only 3.7% at 3-month follow-up a PPD>5 mm, and none at 6 and 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limits of this study, the MAINST protocol showed improvement of clinical parameters for the treatment of peri-implantitis, which were maintained for up to 12 months.