Combination of ultrasonic decontamination,soft tissue curettage,and submucosal air polishing with povidone‐iodine application for non‐surgical therapy of peri‐implantitis: 12‐month clinical outcomes

1 Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of a concept for non‐surgical peri‐implantitis combining stepwise mechanical debridement measures with adjuvant povidone‐iodine application with and without systemic antibiotics.

2 Methods

Forty‐five patients with chronic periodontitis and a total of 164 screw‐typed implants with peri‐implantitis were included. Peri‐implantitis was defined as radiographic bone loss of > 2 mm, probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm with bleeding on probing (BOP). Stepwise treatment of implants was performed with ultrasonic debridement, soft tissue curettage (STC), glycine powder air polishing (GPAP), and a repeated submucosal application of povidone‐iodine. Teeth with PD > 4 mm were treated simultaneously according to the same concept except STC. In cases with severe periodontitis (n = 24), amoxicillin and metronidazole (AM) were prescribed for 7 days.

3 Results

After 12 months, implants treated without AM showed significant reductions (P < 0.05) of mean PD (1.4 ± 0.7 mm), clinical attachment level (CAL) (1.3 ± 0.8 mm), and BOP (33.4% ± 17.2%). In deep pockets (PD > 6 mm) changes of mean PD (2.3 ± 1.3 mm), CAL (2.0 ± 1.6 mm), and BOP (44.0% ± 41.7%) were more pronounced. Intake of AM did not significantly influence the changes in these parameters. However, the reduction of implant sites with PD > 4 mm and BOP was significantly higher in patients with AM than in those without AM (31.8% ± 12.6% versus 20.8% ± 14.7%; P < 0.05).

4 Conclusions

The combination of ultrasonic debridement, STC, and GPAP with adjuvant povidone‐iodine led to significant clinical improvements at implants. Systemic antibiotics had limited effects on the reduction of persisting implant sites with treatment need.