Occlusal trauma and mucositis or peri-implantitis?

The aim of this study was to describe the effects of bruxism in peri-implant bone loss 6 years after the placement of a successful implant-supported prosthesis, to describe its treatment, and to propose a differential diagnosis of the lesion.

A 62-year-old, nonsmoking, systemically healthy partially edentulous woman received 2 osseointegrated implants in the mandibular left region, which supported a 3-element fixed prosthesis. Six years later, the patient reported the development of bruxism. Clinical examination results indicated bleeding on probing, deepening of the peri-implant sulcus, and marginal soft-tissue overgrowth. Radiographic images suggested peri-implant bone loss. The authors diagnosed the lesion as trauma from occlusion and mucositis. Treatment involved anti-infective therapy and the use of a bite platform, resulting in bone recovery after 10 months. These results were maintained for 4 years.

Considering the existing contradictions in the literature, this case highlights the role of trauma from occlusion in the onset, progression, and treatment of lesions produced by occlusal overload around osseointegrated implants. In addition, it provides clinical background on the outcomes of anti-infective therapy associated with the use of a bite platform in the treatment of combined lesions of mucositis and trauma from occlusion in osseointegrated implants.