Gelatinase B is associated with peri-implant bone loss

The aim of this study was to clear whether gelatinase B is associated with peri-implant bone loss (PBL). Peri-implant sulcus fluid was collected from 46 implant sites in 12 patients. These sites were also characterized using modified Gingival Index (mGI). Activated and total gelatinase B levels, measured using a modified urokinase assay, showed correlation with PBL (n = 46, Spearman's rank correlation test). Activated and total gelatinase B values were significantly higher in PBL > 3 mm group (n = 6) compared to PBL < 1 mm (n = 29) and 1 < PBL < 3 mm (n = 11) groups (rank sum test). Activated gelatinase B level in mGI > 0.5 group (n = 24) was clearly higher compared to mGI = 0 (n = 13) and < or = 0.5 (n = 9) groups (Rank sum test). We conclude that gelatinase B is associated with PBL. Activation of gelatinase B together with elevated mGI eventually reflect active phases of peri-implantitis and may prove to be diagnostically useful.