AIM: to determine the prevalence and development of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis and to assess risk factors over time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a longitudinal case series assessing the occurrence and diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.

RESULTS: 218/294 patients who had received dental implants between 1988-1992 were examined between 2000-2002 (exam II; 9-14 years after the first exam). At exam III (20-26 years after exam I, on average 23.3 years), 86 individuals were re-examined. The diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis at exam III was 23.8% and 13.7% respectively. Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis after exam II resulted in a bone gain for 2/12 individuals. Individuals with ≥ 3 implants at exam II were at risk for peri-implantitis at exam III (χ2=7.9, p <0.01, LR: 11.6, 95%CI: 1.5, 92.5, p < 0.01). A history of periodontitis (p=0.07), a diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis (p =0.77), or smoking (p=0.86) at exam II, were not predictive of peri-implantitis at exam III.

CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and occurrence of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis was high. Healthy conditions at implants after 9-14 years were predictive of future implant health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: The aim of this investigation was to quantify periodontal pathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Campylobacter rectus and Tannerella forsythia) in vascular, blood and subgingival samples. As secondary objective, two molecular bacterial identification methods [nested-polimerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR)] were compared.

Methods: Seventy consecutive patients provided a vascular lesion, a blood sample, and 36 subgingival samples. Bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted and qPCR was used to determine the prevalence and amounts of the target pathogens in each sample. Nested-PCR was only performed in the samples from vascular lesions. Periodontal examination was performed in 42 patients. U-Mann-Whitney or Chi-squared tests were used to compare microbiological results according to periodontal diagnosis.

Results: All targeted periodontal pathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia or C. rectus) were detected in subgingival samples with a prevalence rate of 72.2%, 47.2%, 74.3% and 82.9%, respectively. In 7.1% and 11.4% of vascular and blood samples, bacterial DNA was detected. One patient was positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans in the three types of samples. No differences were found in the levels of targeted bacteria when comparing periodontitis and non-periodontitis patients. Prevalence rates obtained with nested PCR were significantly higher than those obtained by qPCR.

Conclusions: The presence of of A. actinomycetemcomitans was demonstrated in vascular, blood and subgingival samples in one out of 36 patients. These results, although with a very low frequency, may support the hypothesis of a translocation of periodontal pathogens from subgingival microbiota to the blood stream and then to atheromatous plaques in carotid or other peripheral arteries. Nested-PCR is not an adequate method for identifying DNA of periodontal pathogens in low quantities, due to the high number of false negative results.

AIM: To compare two regenerative surgical treatments for peri-implantitis over five years.

MATERIAL & METHODS: Twenty-five individuals with peri-implantitis remained at study endpoint. They were treated with a bone substitute and a resorbable membrane (13 individuals with 23 implants) [Group 1], or with bone substitute alone (12 individuals with 22 implants)[Group 2]. All study individuals were kept on a strict maintenance program every third month.

RESULTS: 5-year follow up demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvements in both groups. No implants were lost due to progression of peri-implantitis. Probing depths were reduced by 3.0 mm ± 2.4 mm in Group 1, and 3.3 mm ± 2.09 mm in Group 2 (NS). In both groups, radiographic evidence of bone gain was significant (p < 0.001). At year 5, the average defect fill was 1.3 mm (S.D. ± 1.4 mm) in Group 1 and 1.1 mm (S.D.± 1.2 mm) in Group 2 (mean diff; 0.4 95% CI -0.3,1,2, p=0.24). Bleeding on probing decreased in both groups. Baseline and year 5 plaque scores did not differ between groups and was reduced from 50% to 15%.

CONCLUSION: Both procedures resulted in stable conditions. Additional use of a membrane does not improve the outcome. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objectives To study the incidence of peri-implantitis over 13 years between two types of dental implants. Materials and methods Peri-implantitis incidence was defined as bone loss ≥ 1.0 mm after 1 year, and with BOP or suppuration. Results Nineteen subjects with TioBlast AstraTech™ (AT) and 22 subjects with machine-etched Brånemark Nobel Biocare® (NB) implants were studied. The incidences of peri-implantitis between years 1 and 7 and between years 7 and 13 were 26.2% and 7.1% for AT implants, and 30.4% and 11.5% for NB implants (NS). A history of periodontitis was a risk for future incidence of peri-implantitis (Likelihood ratio: 4.1, 95% CI: 2.0, 8.4, p < 0.001). Subjects with a history of systemic disease had a higher incidence of peri-implantitis (p < 0.05). Conclusions No difference in the incidence of peri-implantitis over a period of 13 years as an effect implant surface and design was found. Bone loss during the first 7 years after implant installation was greater than thereafter. Microbiological information at year 7 did not predict incidence of peri-implantitis at year 13. Subjects with a previous history of periodontitis and with systemic disease were at higher risk for future incidence of peri-implantitis.

P>Background Peri-implantitis is common in patients with dental implants. We performed a single-blinded longitudinal randomized study to assess the effects of mechanical debridement on the peri-implant microbiota in peri-implantitis lesions. Materials and Methods An expanded checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization assay encompassing 79 different microorganisms was used to study bacterial counts before and during 6 months following mechanical treatment of peri-implantitis in 17 cases treated with curettes and 14 cases treated with an ultrasonic device. Statistics included non-parametric tests and GLM multivariate analysis with p < 0001 indicating significance and 80% power. Results At selected implant test sites, the most prevalent bacteria were: Fusobacterium nucleatum sp., Staphylococci sp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Helicobacter pylori, and Tannerella forsythia. 30 min. after treatment with curettes, A. actinomycetemcomitans (serotype a), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus anginosus, and Veillonella parvula were found at lower counts (p < 0.001). No such differences were found for implants treated with the ultrasonic device. Inconsistent changes occurred following the first week. No microbiological differences between baseline and 6-month samples were found for any species or between treatment study methods in peri-implantitis. Conclusions Both methods failed to eliminate or reduce bacterial counts in peri-implantitis. No group differences were found in the ability to reduce the microbiota in peri-implantitis.

Background: Periodontal disease affect a large proportion of the adult population and cause an increasein serum levels of C- reactive protein (CRP), and other markers of inflammation. An increased level of CRP reflects an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the short term effect of CRx-102 alone on the levels of hs-CRP, pro-inflammatory markers in blood and clinical signs of periodontal disease. Methods: Fifty seven patients with at least 10 pockets, with a probing depth of 5 mm or more, were randomized into two groups either CRx-102 (n = 28) or placebo (n = 29) in this blinded single-centre placebo controlled study. High sensitivity CRP (Hs-CRP) levels, inflammatory markers (IL-6, Il-1b, TNFa, IL12, IL-8, IFN c), bleeding on probing (BOP) and change in probing depths were evaluated. After 42 days the subjects received mechanical non-surgical therapy and the study was completed after 49 days. Results: At day 42 the difference in hs-CRP and IFN c levels between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively) whereas no difference was found for the other inflammatory markers. There was no change in periodontal probing depth or BOP between the two groups. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that the administration of CRx-102, resulted in significant decreases in hs- CRP and IFN c, but did not significantly change BOP or probing depths. 10:15–10:30 Ref no: EUABS065318 Anti TNF-a therapy and periodontal parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients Y. MAYER*, A. GURMAN-BALBIR AND E. E. MACHTEI Unit of Periodontology, Rambam HCC, Haifa, Israel Aim: To evaluate the influence of anti TNF-a therapy on the clinical and immunological parameters of the periodontium. Materials and methods: Ten patients with RA who received infusion of 200 mg infliximab routinely (RA+), 10 patients with RA without anti TNF-a therapy (RA-) and 10 healthy patients (C) were included. Clinical parameters PI, GI, PD, CAL and BOP were assessed and total GCF TNF-a level was determined using ELISA. ANOVA with Fisher’s modification and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Patients’ age ranged between 22 and 76 years (mean 50.73 ± 9.1). Mean PI was similar between the groups. However, mean inflammatory parameters in the 3 groups varied significantly; GI was greater in the RA- compared with RA+ and C (P = 0.0042). RA+ exhibit less BOP than RA- and C (21.1% ± 3.0%, 45.9% ± 6.2% and 39.1% ± 7.2%; respectively, P = 0.0146) The mean PD in RA+ was shallower than RA- and C (3.22 ± 0.13, 3.85 ± 0.22, 3.77 ± 0.20; P = 0.055). CAL in RA+ was lower than RA- and C (3.68 ± 0.11, 4.52 ± 0.26, 4.35 ± 0.24; P = 0.0273). TNF-a levels in the GCF of RA+ were the lowest (0.663 pg/ml, 1.23 pg/ml and 0.949 pg/ml; P = 0.0401). A significant positive correlation was found between TNF-a levels in the GCF and CAL (r = 0.448, P = 0.0283). Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving anti TNF-a medications have lower periodontal indices and GCF TNF-a levels. Thus, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines might prove beneficial in suppressing periodontal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implantitis is a frequent finding in patients with dental implants. The present study compared two non-surgical mechanical debridement methods of peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects (mean age 61.5; S.D+/-12.4), with one implant each, demonstrating peri-implantitis were randomized, and those treated either with titanium hand-instruments or with an ultrasonic device were enrolled. Data were obtained before treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Parametric and non-parametric statistics were used. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects completed the study. The mean bone loss at implants in both groups was 1.5 mm (SD +/-1.2 mm). No group differences for plaque or gingival indices were found at any time point. Baseline and 6-month mean probing pocket depths (PPD) at implants were 5.1 and 4.9 mm (p=0.30) in both groups. Plaque scores at treated implants decreased from 73% to 53% (p<0.01). Bleeding scores also decreased (p<0.01), with no group differences. No differences in the total bacterial counts were found over time. Higher total bacterial counts were found immediately after treatment (p<0.01) and at 1 week for ultrasonic-treated implants (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No group differences were found in the treatment outcomes. While plaque and bleeding scores improved, no effects on PPD were identified.

Background: Infection and inflammation in tissues adjacent to dental implants are common. There are few controlled studies assessing interventions. We assessed if mechanical debridement with titanium curettes, is equally effective as an ultrasonic device in reducing clinical signs of inflammation and the total bacterial load. Materials and methods: Thrity two subjects (mean age 62.5 S.D ± 11.7) with one implant each demonstrating peri-implantitis were randomized in two intervention groups. Clinical and microbiological data were obtained before and during 6 months. Group one received debridement using titanium hand-instruments and group two received ultrasonic treatment using a coated working end. Results: At the different time-points, data analysis by independent t–test, or Mann–Whitney U tests failed to demonstrate group differences. Comparing baseline data with results at 6 months (merged groups) demonstrated that overall PI scores and at implants decreased (mean diff: 20.2%, S.E ± 6.3, 95%CI: 7.0 to 32.7, P < 0.002) and (mean diff: 27.2% S.E ± 7.9, 95%CI: 11.3 to 43.1, P < 0.001). Bleeding scores at implants improved (P < 0.01). PPD scores at implants did not improve (P = 0.30). Conclusions: No differences in treatment outcomes between the two treatment methods studied were found. While PI and BOP scores improved no effects in PPD were identified.

Background: Periodontal disease is the most common multifactorial disease, afflicting a very large proportion of the adult population. Periodontal disease secondarily causes increases in the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and other markers of inflammation. An increased level of CRP reflects an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the short-term effect of a combination of dipyridamole and prednisolone (CRx-102) on the levels of high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP, proinflammatory markers in blood, and clinical signs of periodontal disease. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with >= 10 pockets with probing depths >= 5 mm were randomized into two groups in this masked single-center placebo-controlled study: CRx-102 (n = 28) and placebo (n = 29). hs-CRP levels, inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, -1 beta, -8, and -12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]), bleeding on probing (BOP), and changes in probing depths were evaluated. The subjects received mechanical non-surgical therapy after 42 days, and the study was completed after 49 days. Results: At day 42, the differences in the hs-CRP, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 levels between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05), whereas no difference was found for the other inflammatory markers. There was no change in probing depth or BOP between the two groups. Conclusion: The administration of CRx-102 resulted in significant decreases in hs-CRP, IFN-gamma, and IL-6, but it did not significantly change BOP or probing depths.