Relationship Between Radiographic Bone Loss and Salivary IL-1β Levels in Peri-implantitis

To investigate the relationship between salivary interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, radiographic bone loss, and clinical peri-implant parameters.

A total of 60 patients enrolled in this cross-sectional study (24 with peri-implant health [PIH], 36 with peri-implantitis [PI]), accounting for a total of 152 implants. Clinical parameters such as peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD), modified plaque index (mPI), and bleeding on probing (BoP) were recorded. Periapical radiographs were obtained to assess peri-implant bone loss (PIBL) in mesial (PIBLm) and distal (PIBLd) sites. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were analyzed for IL-1β expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correlations between IL-1β expression levels in saliva and peri-implant clinical and radiographic findings were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient.

IL-1β expression levels in saliva were significantly higher in patients with PI compared to patients with PIH (P < .001). A strong positive correlation was observed between IL-1β levels and PIBL (PIBLm: r = 0.515, P < .01) (PIBLd: r = 0.535, P < .01), as well as with clinical parameters including PIPD (r = 0.59, P < .01) and BoP (r = 0.792, P < .001).

The significant correlation between salivary IL-1β levels and peri-implant disease parameters suggests its potential as a noninvasive biomarker for early PI detection. Further large-scale studies with standardized methodologies are required to validate these findings and enhance diagnostic accuracy.