Experimental peri-implant mucositis around titanium and zirconia implants in comparison to a natural tooth: part 1-host-derived immunological parameters.

The purpose of this study was to assess host-derived parameters around dental zirconia and titanium implants and natural teeth during the occurrence of mucositis. After 4 weeks of perfect oral hygiene, 16 clinically profiled patients were asked to refrain from oral hygiene for 2 weeks, resulting in experimental plaque accumulation. This was followed by 4 weeks of perfect oral hygiene to reverse the inflammation. Immunological samples were analyzed for interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Immunological parameters were measured each week, starting at week 4 (session 2) and ending at week 10 (session 8). There were significant differences in IL-6 between the groups (zirconia vs. tooth and titanium vs. tooth), with unfavourable values for the tooth unit (P<0.05). After reinstitution of oral hygiene, there was a significant increase in TNF-α values for the tooth but not for the zirconia and titanium implants. There were significant differences in IL-1β between the groups (zirconia vs. titanium and titanium vs. tooth), with higher IL-1β levels around titanium implants (P<0.05). The soft tissue around titanium implants developed a stronger inflammatory response to experimental plaque accumulation in terms of IL-1β values, whereas the teeth presented an increase in IL-6 and TNF-α values.