Correlation between peri-implant sulcular fluid rate and expression of collagenase2 (MMP8)

The rapidly increasing numbers of inserted dental implants and the growing incidence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis with the current absence of reliable disease risk prediction highlight the importance of early and sensitive diagnosis of possible disease progression. The aim of this study is to assess quantitative and qualitative analysis of peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) during implant maintenance control and to identify whether there is a positive correlation and statistical significance between peri-implant sulcular fluid volume results and collagenase2 level obtained from both superficial and fundus area of peri-implant sulcus.

Twenty-seven implants from patients under recall provided peri-implant sulcular fluid volume samples, which were collected with the Periotron 8000 micro-moisture meter, and collagenase2 levels, which were assessed using dentoTest aMMP8. Statistical analysis was obtained using Spearman's correlation.

Positive correlation was found between collagenase2 collected from sulcular and fundus areas on both mesial and distal sides. There was correlation between peri-implant sulcular fluid volume and collagenase2 level from fundus and distal area, but not from the mesial and superficial area.

Examination of collagenase2 is a sensitive method when examining early inflammatory changes but depends from the depth of the sample collection in the gingival pocket.

The examination of MMP8 seems to be a more sensitive method than the analysis of peri-implant sulcular fluid to detect peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.