Aim: Peri-implant gingival healing following one-stage implant placement was investigated and compared to periodontal healing.
Methods: Healing at surgical sites [implant (I) and adjacent teeth (T+)] was compared to non-operated tooth (T-) in non-smokers receiving one-stage implant. Periodontal Indices (PI, GI) were recorded at surgery and up to 12 weeks post-operatively. Peri-implant (PICF) and gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) were analysed for cytokines, collagenases and inhibitors. Data were analysed by linear mixed model regression analysis and repeated measures anova.
Results: Forty patients (22 females; 21-74 years old) completed the study. Surgical site GI, increased at week 1, decreased significantly during early healing (weeks 1-3; p = 0.0003) and continually decreased during late healing (weeks 6-12) for I (p < 0.01). PICF volume decreased threefold by week 12 (p = 0.0003). IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1β and TIMP-1 levels significantly increased at surgical sites at week one, significantly decreasing thereafter (p < 0.016). Week one IL-6, IL-8 and MIP-1β levels were ~threefold higher and TIMP-1 levels 63% higher, at I compared to T+ (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Peri-implant gingival healing, as determined by crevicular fluid molecular composition, differs from periodontal healing. The observed differences suggest that peri-implant tissues, compared to periodontal tissues, represent a higher pro-inflammatory state.
Keywords: crevicular fluid; cytokines; dental implant; gingiva; periodontal surgery; wound healing.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.