A review on peri-implant crevicular fluid assays potential in monitoring and predicting peri-implant tissue responses

The early and reliable detection of any adverse peri-implant tissue reaction is a prerequisite for treatment planning in patients treated with endosseous dental implants. However, traditional periodontal markers allow only the documentation of the severity of the preexisting destruction. Thus, simple and reliable clinical tests for monitoring peri-implant tissue condition are needed. As the peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) is an osmotically mediated inflammatory exudate, changes in flow rate and profile occur according to the condition of the peri-implant tissues. Consequently, peri-implant crevicular fluid analysis may help in detecting early metabolic and biochemical lesions not readily discernible, as well as in monitoring the osseointegration process and the bone response to occlusal loading, thereby improving the long-term success of implants. The purpose of this paper was to review current information on PICF flow rate and profile changes under various clinical conditions and investigate whether specific PICF assays could be useful in the assessment, monitoring and prediction of peri-implant tissue responses.