Guided biofilm therapy for the treatment of peri-implant diseases

Guided Biofilm Therapy for the treatment of peri-implant diseases

Peri-implant diseases are plaque-associated pathologic conditions around dental implants, characterized by inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa in the case of peri-implant mucositis, and inflammation with subsequent progressive loss of supporting bone in the case of peri-implantitis. Its prevalence is very high, with mucositis affecting around 80 percent of subjects with dental implants, and peri-implantitis affecting between 28-56 percent of patients, according to the different studies.

The therapy for the treatment of peri-implant diseases is aimed to reduce the inflammatory component and to arrest disease progression. The goal of anti-infective therapies is to eliminate the biofilm surrounding the implant and prosthetic structures, however, both the micro (surface characteristics) and macro design (implant design, position, supracrestal components, prostheses design, etc.) of the implant-supported restorations may impair the adequate debridement of the peri-implant tissues with conventional methods.

New technologies such as the use of prophylaxis powder have proven to be highly effective for the removal of biofilm around dental implants and the control of peri-implant inflammation, without damaging neither the soft tissues nor the implant components.