An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Peri-implant Soft Tissue Biotype and the Severity of Peri-implantitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relation between peri-implant soft tissue biotype (STB) and different levels of peri-implantitis severity, and to identify the possible risk indicators that affect the severity of peri-implantitis with regard to STB around dental implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-seven patients with 229 implants were diagnosed with peri-implantitis and recruited to the study. Clinical and radiographic parameters including Plaque Index (PI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival/mucosal recession (GR/MR), clinical attachment level (CAL), and marginal bone loss (BL) were analyzed. The periodontal status was assessed, and the levels of peri-implantitis severity were defined. These parameters were compared among the peri-implant STB groups (thick and thin biotype). To evaluate the effect of possible risk indicators on the levels of severity of peri-implantitis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for thick and thin biotype groups.

RESULTS

The mean values of BOP, MR, CAL, and marginal BL were significantly lower for the thick group compared with the thin group (P < .05). For PI and PD values, no significant differences were found between the groups (P > .05). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed statistically significant associations between peri-implantitis severity and the risk indicators maintenance therapy compliance and current periodontitis for the thin group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The thin biotype could be more prone to increase in the severity of peri-implantitis. Maintenance therapy compliance and current periodontitis could be important risk indicators that affect the progression of the severity of peri-implantitis for implants where keratinized mucosa is thin or absent.