Comparison of clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters among obese and non-obese patients: A 5-year study

It is postulated that peri-implant parameters are worse in obese individuals as compared to nonobese.

The aim of the present 5-year longitudinal study was to analyze and compare the changes in clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters among obese and non-obese patients.

Twenty patients with body mass index ≥ 27.5 kg/m² and 18 non-obese controls were included. All patients were indicated for single tooth maxillary or mandibular molar replacement with the adjacent teeth intact. Peri-implant clinical (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], probing depth [PD]) and radiographic (marginal bone loss [MBL]) parameters were measured at 12, 24, and 60 months of follow-up.

All peri-implant parameters showed statistically significant difference between obese and non-obese individuals. Obese group recorded significant higher BOP, PD, and MBL at different observation times. Probing depth and MBL increased significantly with advance of time in both groups. After 60 months of follow-up period, greater PI and BOP was observed in obese patients (P < 0.01). At 60 months follow-up period, obese patients showed significant increased PD (3.69 mm) as compared to non-obese individuals (2.46 mm). Marginal bone loss in non-obese individuals varied from 0.30 mm after 12 months, reaching 0.55 mm after 60 months of follow-up period, while in obese patients MBL values went from 0.36 mm after 12 months to 0.91 mm at 60 months follow-up (P < 0.01).

Patients with obesity are at risk of increased localized peri-implant soft and hard tissue inflammation. It is recommended that clinicians should educate obese patients about risk of increased peri-implant tissue inflammation and susceptibility to bone loss and stipulate stringent oral hygiene care for ideal peri-implant health.