Mechanical and biological complications after implantoplasty-A systematic review

Implantoplasty, that is, the mechanical modification of the implant, including thread removal and surface smoothening, has been proposed during surgical peri-implantitis treatment. Currently, there is no information about any potential mechanical and/or biological complications after this approach. The aim of the current review was to systematically assess the literature to answer the focused question "Are there any mechanical and/or biological complications due to implantoplasty?".

A systematic literature search was performed in three databases until 23/09/2018 to assess potential mechanical and/or biological complications after implantoplasty. All laboratory, preclinical in vivo, and clinical studies involving implantoplasty were included, and any complication potentially related to implantoplasty was recorded and summarized.

Out of 386 titles, 26 publications were included in the present review (six laboratory, two preclinical in vivo, and 18 clinical studies). Laboratory studies have shown that implantoplasty does not result in temperature increase, provided proper cooling is used, but leads in reduced implant strength in "standard" dimension implants; further, preclinical studies have shown titanium particle deposition in the surrounding tissues. Nevertheless, no clinical study has reported any remarkable complication due to implantoplasty; among 217-291 implants subjected to implantoplasty, no implant fracture was reported during a follow-up of 3-126 months, while only a single case of mucosal discoloration, likely due to titanium particle deposition, has been reported.

Based on all currently available, yet limited, preclinical in vivo and clinical evidence, implantoplasty seems not associated with any remarkable mechanical or biological complications on the short- to medium-term.