Non-surgical treatment of peri-implant pathology

Peri-implant pathologies consist of an inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implants. Chlorhexidine is considered the gold standard antiseptic, with a large variety of choice in administration. In this study, a protocol for the irrigation of peri-implant pockets with a chlorhexidine gel, using a plastic needle for the delivery of the product into the peri-implant pockets is described.

Nine patients with at least one implant presenting peri-implant pathology (inflamed soft tissue associated with bone loss around the implant) were enrolled in this prospective clinical study, and followed-up for 1 year, where clinical parameters such as modified plaque index, modified bleeding index, probing pocket depths, attachment levels were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 1 year after implementation of the treatment protocol.

Treatment success was achieved in eight of the nine patients (and in 11 of the 13 implants) according to the success criteria adopted by the authors of this study.

Infection control lies at the heart of peri-implant treatment. The control of three factors such as optimal diagnosis, removal of the aetiological factor of the disease (proper removal of debris and decontamination of the peri-implant sulcus/pocket) and a good patient's oral hygiene self-care represents the key to success, resulting in good treatment outcomes when managing peri-implant pathologies. The protocol used (irrigation of peri-implant pockets with chlorhexidine gel delivered by a plastic needle) is considered to be of utility.