Implant surface characteristics influence the outcome of treatment of peri-implantitis: an experimental study in dogs.

AIM: To analyse the effect of surgical treatment of peri-implantitis without systemic antibiotics at different types of implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four implants representing four different implant systems - turned (Biomet 3i), TiOblast (Astra Tech AB), SLA (Straumann AG) and TiUnite (Nobel Biocare AB) were placed in the left side of the mandible in six dogs, 3 months after tooth extraction. Experimental peri-implantitis was initiated by placement of ligatures and plaque formation. The ligatures were removed when about 40-50% of the supporting bone was lost. Four weeks later, surgical therapy including mechanical cleaning of implant surfaces was performed. No systemic antibiotics or local chemical antimicrobial therapy were used. After 5 months, block biopsies were obtained and prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: Two of the TiUnite implants were lost after surgical therapy. Radiographic bone gain occurred at implants with turned, TiOblast and SLA surfaces, while at TiUnite implants additional bone loss was found after treatment. Resolution of peri-implantitis was achieved in tissues surrounding implants with turned and TiOblast surfaces. CONCLUSION: Resolution of peri-implantitis following treatment without systemic or local antimicrobial therapy is possible but the outcome of treatment is influenced by implant surface characteristics.

Spontaneous progression of ligatured induced peri-implantitis at implants with different surface characteristics. An experimental study in dogs II: histological observations.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze tissue reactions to plaque formation following ligature removal in experimental peri-implantitis at commercially available implants in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mandibular premolars and the three anterior premolars in both sides of the maxilla were extracted in six Labrador dogs. After 3 months, four implants representing four different implant systems--groups A (turned), B (TiOblast), C (SLA), D (TiUnite)--were placed in a randomized order in the right side of the mandible. Three months after implant installation, experimental peri-implantitis was initiated by placement of ligatures and plaque formation. The ligatures were removed when about 40-50% of the supporting bone was lost. After the subsequent 24-week period of continued plaque accumulation, block biopsies containing implants and their surrounding tissues were obtained and prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: All types of implants exhibited extensive inflammatory cell infiltrates and large associated crater-formed osseous defects. The lesions were consistently characterized by insufficient encapsulation of pus and biofilm layers and the inflammatory cell infiltrates extended apical of the pocket epithelium. The presence of numerous osteoclasts indicated active tissue destruction. The vertical dimension and the overall surface area of the infiltrated connective tissue (ICT) were larger at implants of group D than at other implant types. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that spontaneous progression of peri-implantitis is associated with severe inflammation and tissue destruction.

Spontaneous progression of peri-implantitis at different types of implants. An experimental study in dogs. I: clinical and radiographic observations.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze tissue reactions to plaque formation following ligature removal at commercially available implants exposed to experimental peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six Labrador dogs about 1 year old were used. All mandibular premolars and the three anterior premolars in both sides of the maxilla were extracted. After 3 months four implants representing four different implant systems with different surface characteristics--implant group A (turned), B (TiOblast), C (sandblasted acid-etched; SLA) and D (TiUnite)--were placed in a randomized order in the right side of the mandible. Three months after implant installation experimental peri-implantitis was initiated by placement of ligatures in a submarginal position and plaque accumulation. At week 12, when about 40-50% of the supporting bone was lost, the ligatures were removed. During the subsequent 24-week period plaque accumulation continued. Radiographic and clinical examinations were performed during the 'active breakdown' period (plaque accumulation and ligatures) and the plaque accumulation period after ligature removal. The experiment was terminated at week 36. RESULTS: The bone loss that took place during the 'active breakdown' period varied between 3.5 and 4.6 mm. The additional bone loss that occurred during the plaque accumulation period after ligature removal was 1.84 (A), 1.72 (B), 1.55 (C) and 2.78 mm (D). CONCLUSION: Spontaneous progression of experimentally induced peri-implantitis occurred at implants with different geometry and surface characteristics. Progression was most pronounced at implants of type D (TiUnite surface).

Bone tissue formation adjacent to implants placed in fresh extraction sockets: an experimental study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the healing of marginal defects that occurred at implants placed in a healed ridge or in fresh extraction sockets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six dogs were used. The right side of the mandible was used in the first part of the study. The first, second premolars and first molars were extracted. After 3 months of healing the bone was prepared for implant installation in these premolar and molar sites. The marginal 5 mm of each recipient site was widened with a conical drill. Following implant installation a gap of varying dimension occurred around the titanium rod (artificial defect (A) sites). At this interval the third and fourth premolars were extracted and implants were installed in the distal socket of the two teeth (natural defect (N) sites). The flaps were sutured to allow non-submerged healing. After 2 months, the procedures were repeated in the left side. Two months later the animals were euthanized, and biopsies were obtained and prepared for histological examination. RESULTS: The length of the zone of de novo'bone-to-implant contact' in the defect region was longer at the A sites than at the N sites both at the 2- and the 4-month interval. Further, while after 4 months of healing the marginal bone crest at the A sites was located close to the abutment/fixture junction, at the N sites a marked reduction of the height of the bone crest was documented. Hence, most A site defects became completely resolved whereas healing of the N site defects was incomplete. CONCLUSION: The process of bone modeling and remodeling at an implant placed in a fresh extraction socket differs from the resolution of marginal defects that may occur following implant installation in a healed ridge.

Implant stability during initiation and resolution of experimental periimplantitis: an experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Histologic studies have demonstrated the possibility to reestablish direct bone-implant contacts after ligature-induced periimplantitis. The influence of the reosseointegration on the stability of implants is not known. PURPOSE: The aim of the present investigation was to study bone tissue and associated implant stability alterations that occurred during induction and resolution of periimplantitis using resonance frequency analysis (RFA), radiography, and histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three implants with smooth (turned) or roughened (SLA) surfaces were placed in each side of the edentulous mandible of four dogs. Experimental periimplantitis was induced for 3 months. Five weeks later, the animals were treated with antibiotics and surgical therapy and were followed for another 6 months. Periapical radiographs and RFA were used to evaluate marginal bone levels and implant stability throughout the study period. After termination, the tissue-implant interface was evaluated by light microscopy in ground sections. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between radiographic and RFA findings because continuous loss of marginal bone and a decrease in implant stability were observed for both implant surfaces during the periimplantitis period. Antibiotic treatment and surgical therapy resulted in some reosseointegration, which was more marked for the SLA surface. The resonance frequency values corresponded well to the histometric measurements because reosseointegration resulted in an increase in implant stability. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the present study indicate a linear relationship between marginal bone level and resonance frequency value. It is suggested that the RFA technique is sensitive and may be used to detect even a minor change in the level of bone-implant contact.

Bone regeneration at implants with turned or rough surfaces in self-contained defects. An experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Marginal hard tissue defects present at implants with a rough surface can heal with a high degree of bone fill and osseointegration. The healing of similar defects adjacent to implants with a smooth surface appears to be less predictable. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare bone healing at implants with turned or rough surface topographies placed in self-contained defects using either a submerged or non-submerged installation technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six dogs were used. Three months after tooth extraction four experimental sites were prepared for implant installation in both sides of the mandible. The marginal 5 mm of the canal prepared for the implant was widened. Thus, following implant placement a circumferential gap occurred between the bone tissue and the implant surface that was between 1 and 1.25 mm wide. In each side of the mandible two implants with a turned surface and two implants with a rough surface were installed. The implants in the right side were fully submerged, while a non-submerged technique was applied in the left side. The animals were sacrificed 4 months later, block biopsies of each implant site were dissected and ground as well as paraffin sections were prepared. RESULTS: The marginal defects around rough surface implants exhibited after 4 months of healing substantial bone fill and a high degree of osseointegration following either the submerged or the non-submerged installation technique. Healing at turned implants was characterized by incomplete bone fill and the presence of a connective tissue zone between the implant and the newly formed bone. The distance between the implant margin (M) and the most coronal level of bone-to-implant contact (B) at implants with a rough surface was 0.84+/-0.37 mm at submerged and 0.90+/-0.39 mm at non-submerged sites. The distance M-B at implants with a turned surface was 3.39+/-0.52 mm at submerged and 3.23+/-0.68 mm at non-submerged sites. The differences between the rough and turned implants regarding the length of distance M-B were statistically significant (paired t-test). CONCLUSION: Osseointegration at implants placed in sites with marginal defects is influenced by the surface characteristics of the implant.

Carbon dioxide laser and hydrogen peroxide conditioning in the treatment of periimplantitis: an experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Various methods have been applied for the treatment of periimplantitis lesions. It has been reported that the procedures used have been effective in eliminating the inflammatory lesion but that re-osseointegration to the once-contaminated implant surface has been difficult or impossible to achieve. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in combination with hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of experimentally induced periimplantitis lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dental implants (ITI Dental Implant System, Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland) were placed in each side of the edentulous mandible of four beagle dogs. Implants with a turned surface and implants with a sand-blasted large-grit acid-etched (SLA) surface (SLA, Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland) were used. Experimental periimplantitis was induced during 3 months. Five weeks later each animal received tablets of amoxicillin and metronidazole for a period of 17 days. Three days after the start of the antibiotic treatment, full-thickness flaps were elevated, and the granulation tissue in the bone craters was removed. In the two anterior implant sites in both sides of the mandible, a combination of CO2 laser therapy and application of a water solution of hydrogen peroxide was used. The implant in the posterior site of each quadrant was cleaned with cotton pellets soaked in saline. Biopsy specimens were obtained 6 months later. RESULTS: The amount of re-osseointegration was 21% and 82% at laser-treated turned-surface implants and SLA implants, respectively, and 22% and 84% at saline-treated turned-surface implants and SLA implants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the following: (1) a combination of systemic antibiotics and local curettage and debridement resulted in the resolution of experimentally induced periimplantitis lesions; (2) at implants with a turned surface, a small amount of re-osseointegration was observed at the base of the bone defects whereas a considerable amount of re-osseointegration occurred at implants with an SLA surface; and (3) the use of CO2 laser and hydrogen peroxide during surgical therapy had no apparent effect on bone formation and re-osseointegration.