Soft and Hard Tissue Changes around Tissue-Oriented Tulip-Design Implant Abutments: A 1-Year Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of platform switching using narrower abutments remain controversial. Many researchers suggest that platform switching can yield enhanced clinical results, while others remain skeptical. We hypothesize that the effectiveness of platform switching might be associated with the degree of reduction in size of the abutment. PURPOSE: To radiographically and clinically examine a new abutment design created to move the implant-abutment interface farther medially. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial that included 27 patients (41 MIS Lance Plus® implants; MIS Implant Technologies, Karmiel, Israel). The patients' age ranged from 39 to 75 years. At the second stage of the surgery, the implants were randomly assigned to either the new platform switch Tulip abutment (TA) design or to the standard platform abutment (SA). Implant probing depth (IPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at baseline and after 12 months. Standardized periapical radiographs were taken (at baseline and at 12 months) and the marginal bone height measured. RESULTS: All implants were successfully integrated. The mean IPD at 1 year post-op was 2.91 mm for the SA group and 2.69 mm for the TA group (p > .05). Similarly, the BOP at 1 year was almost identical in both groups. The mean values of bone resorption at baseline were 0.98 ± 0.37 mm and 0.69 ± 0.20 for the TA and SA groups, respectively (p > .05). Bone loss (baseline to 12 months) was significantly greater in the SA group compared with the TA group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the new TA, with its significantly downsized diameter, resulted in reduced bone loss at 1 year. Further research will be required to assess the long-term effect of this abutment on peri-implant health.

Water jet with adjunct chlorhexidine gel for nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implant disease following successful integration of an endosseous implant is the result of an imbalance between bacterial load and host defense, which may affect not only the peri-implant mucosa but also involve the supporting bone. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adjunctive effect of a dental water jet rinse mixed with chlorhexidine gel to the nonsurgical treatment for peri-implantitis. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A prospective randomized interventional cohort study was conducted. Forty consecutive patients presenting with peri-implantitis were recruited and randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Initially all patients received scaling/surface debridement and oral hygiene instruction. Patients in the study group received a water jet device containing chlorhexidine gel (Silonite®) for home use twice daily while the control group performed the recommended oral hygiene measures with no water jet usage. Three months following baseline visit, patients were reevaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: In total, 39 patients completed the study and were available for final examination. Three months following baseline visit the test group exhibited greater mean probing depth reduction (0.75 mm vs 0.27 mm; P = .029) as well as greater reduction in the number of sites presenting with bleeding on probing (2.26 vs 0.45 sites; P = .011). No significant change in bone level was observed at 3 months (mean bone gain was 0.18 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Water jet mixed with chlorhexidine gel might supplement the response to nonsurgical treatment for peri-implantitis lesions. Further, larger-cohort studies are warranted.

Treatment of peri-implantitis using multiple applications of chlorhexidine chips: a double-blind, randomized multi-centre clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Universal strategies for managing peri-implantitis are yet to be adopted. The aim of this study is to examine a protocol of intensive application of chlorhexidine containing chips in sites with peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, parallel, two-arm clinical trial included 60 patients (77 implants) with probing depth (PD) 6-10 mm and bone loss ≥2 mm around 1-2 implants. One to two weeks following SRP, baseline measurements were made followed by implants' debridement. Patients were randomized to receive matrix chips (MatrixC) or chlorhexidine Chips (PerioC). Measurements and chips placement were repeated at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 18. At 6 months, patients returned for final examination. RESULTS: Probing depth reduction was greater in the PerioC (2.19 ± 0.24 mm) compared with MatrixC (1.59 ± 0.23 mm), p = 0.07. Seventy percentage of the implants in the PerioC and 54% in the MatrixC had PD reduction ≥ 2 mm. Likewise, 40% of the sites (PerioC) and 24% (MatrixC) had PD reduction ≥ 3 mm. Clinical attachment level gains for both groups were significant; however, the changes in the PerioC group were significantly greater than in MatrixC [2.21 ± 0.23 mm. and 1.56 ± 0.25 mm respectively, p = 0.05]. Bleeding on probing was reduced by half in both groups. CONCLUSION: Frequent placement of PerioC and MatrixC together with implants debridement resulted in a substantial improvement in sites with peri-implantitis. Further studies will be required to fully appreciate the mechanism of this treatment.