title: Peri-implantitis diagnosis and treatment by New Zealand periodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the understanding, diagnosis and management of peri-implantitis by New Zealand periodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Telephone interviews (in combination with a postal and electronic survey) were conducted of all 25 periodontists and 32 OMFS listed as specialists on the New Zealand Dental Register. A seven item multi-choice and short answer questionnaire was used to investigate: their definition of peri-implantitis; the number of annual referrals received in their practice for this condition; their diagnostic, preventive and treatment strategies for peri-implantitis; and their perception of the role of general dental practitioners in its management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participation rate was 84.6%. Most respondents defined peri-implantitis as a disease of multifactorial aetiology that leads to destruction of the bone supporting an implant. The average number of cases seen annually differed between periodontists (11 cases/year) and OMFS (4 cases/year). The criteria used by the respondents to diagnose peri-implantitis included increased probing depths and radiographic evidence of bone loss. Each type of specialist used mechanical debridement for treatment, but a higher proportion of OMFS performed surgical procedures as treatment. The prevention strategies used smoking cessation advice and ensuring good plaque control. All respondents agreed that peri-implantitis is an important disease that can lead to implant failure, and all acknowledged the role of general dental practitioners in diagnosis, referral for treatment and long-term implant maintenance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The definition, diagnostic criteria and management strategies used by New Zealand specialists are generally consistent with those found in the literature. No evidence-based, gold standard treatment protocol for peri-implantitis has been identified in the literature, and New Zealand specialists use a range of treatment modalities.
authors.forename: Assil A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tawse-Smith
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Broadbent
authors.forename: Jonathan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Leichter
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009520:New Zealand; D057873:Peri-Implantitis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D057747:Periodontal Debridement / Q000379:methods; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis; D010517:Periodontics; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000145:classification; D011859:Radiography; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013515:Surgery, Oral