title: Peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis: clinical and histopathological characteristics and treatment.
abstract: Osseointegrated dental implants are used routinely in dentistry in the confidence of predictable success. However, if the implant surfaces become colonised by pathogenic bacteria, the plaque-induced inflammation around the implants may cause peri-implant tissue destruction. Peri-implant mucositis is a reversible, plaque-induced inflammatory lesion confined to the peri-implant soft tissue unit and clinically is characterised by redness, swelling and bleeding on gentle probing. Peri-implantitis is an extension of peri-implant mucositis to involve the bone supporting the implant: it is characterised by loss of osseointegration of the coronal part of the implant, by increased probing depth and by bleeding and/or suppuration on probing. Established peri-implantitis does not respond predictably to treatment. The best management of plaque-induced peri-implant inflammatory diseases is prevention. Regular personal and professional cleaning of the implant is mandatory to minimise bacterial load. Despite our best efforts, plaque-induced peri-implant inflammatory diseases will occur frequently, and as these diseases respond best to early treatment, early detection of peri-implant mucositis by regular assessment will permit timely treatment. Peri-implant mucositis is readily treated non-surgically. Peri-implantitis is more difficult to treat largely because of the problem of decontamination of the roughened, threaded surfaces of exposed implants. As a rule, surgical treatment will be necessary, and even then success is not assured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, University of Limpopo, South Africa.
authors.forename: R A G
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khammissa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meyerov
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemmer
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000543:Alveoloplasty; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal; D006801:Humans; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D057873:Peri-Implantitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D057747:Periodontal Debridement; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015921:Dental Implants