Increased interleukin-1 beta in the crevicular fluid of diseased implants.

ABSTRACT

Diseased implants can be distinguished from healthy implants by the presence of inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Inflammation correlates with elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta in gingival crevicular fluid. An analysis of interleukin-1 beta levels in diseased implants compared to those in matching healthy implants in 12 patients indicates that the level of interleukin-1 beta was approximately three times that at healthy sites. Interleukin-1 beta levels may provide a means of monitoring the health status of dental implants.