Titanium particles in tissues from peri-implant mucositis: An exfoliative cytology-based pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the presence of titanium particles in the peri-implant mucosa of unloaded single implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty participants with single unloaded implants were selected. They were divided equally into two groups: Group 1 with mild and Group 2 with moderate-to-severe peri-implant mucositis. Cytologic smears of peri-implant mucosa were obtained using cytobrush during second-stage surgery. RESULTS: Study states that 60% of participants of Group 2 were positive for titanium particles in peri-implant cytology. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the titanium particles might be the initiators of the inflammation around implant.