‘Peri-implantitis shows progressive pattern of bone loss’ – JCP Digest

Peri-implantitis shows a progressive pattern of bone loss and in most cases detectable bone loss occurs within the first three years after implant loading, according to a study summarised in the EFP’s research summary JCP Digest.

JCP Digest 04 (2016:43) offers an account of a study which retrospectively analysed the starting point and overall amount of peri-implant marginal bone loss in patients with existing peri-implantitis nine years after implant placement.

The study, carried out at the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, sought to address the lack of research on the onset and pattern of progression of peri-implantitis. The point of onset of peri-implantitis was calculated by analysing the cumulative percentage of implants showing various amounts of bone loss for each year.

Researchers concluded that peri-implantitis shows a progressive pattern of bone loss and detectable bone loss occurs in most cases within the first three years after implant loading.

Commenting on the impact of the research, they said: “The first years in function are critical for implant survival and the clinician should aim for a well-structured maintenance programme already in this period, in order to increase the probability of long-term implant success and survival.”

The study was summarised for JCP Digest by a resident of the postgraduate programme of periodontology at the University of Bern in Switzerland,

JCP Digest 04 (2016:43) can be viewed on and downloaded from the EFP website in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.