Short-term efficacy of a gel containing propolis extract, nanovitamin C and nanovitamin E on peri-implant mucositis: A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a gel containing propolis extract, nanovitamin C and nanovitamin E as adjuvant to mechanical debridement in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis (PM). BACKGROUND: Propolis has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect that may improve peri-implant health. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study was performed on patients with at least one implant with PM. Participants received a professional prophylaxis and were instructed to use either test or a control gel as toothpaste three times/day for 1 month. Clinical and microbiological parameters were evaluated. PM resolution was considered in absence of bleeding on probing (BOP). Data were analysed with Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Forty-six patients participated (23 in each group). After treatment, 26.1% of test patients showed complete PM resolution versus 0% in control group (p = .02). Significant reductions were observed in plaque index (p = .03), BOP (p = .04) and probing depths (p = .027) in test compared with control group. The reduction in Tannerella forsythia was statistically greater in test than in control group at 1-month follow-up (p = .02). Porphyromonas gingivalis was statistically reduced in test group from baseline to 1-month follow-up (p = .05). CONCLUSION: Test gel clinically improved PM and showed certain antimicrobial effect after 1 month in comparison with control group. Further long-term clinical trials are required to confirm these results.