Impact of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Human Peri-implant Tissues: Clinical, Proteomic Profile, and Histological Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis:This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled pilot study of a 3-month duration, as shown in the study flow chart (Figure 1). The data are reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. Treatment allocation was by block randomization, with a block size of four. Both patients and evaluators were blind to whether the MED device was active or not.

Patients who were diagnosed with peri-implantitis and fit the inclusion criteria were identified from the records. The inclusion criteria were: patients aged 20-85 years with evidence of peri-implant crestal bone loss greater than 3mm but not more than 5mm; presence of bleeding on probing or suppuration; an implant pocket depth of 6-8 mm; implants with an internal hex connection of 3.75-4.1mm diameter; implant-supported restoration that could be removed and later refitted; and patients who adhered to their scheduled periodontal maintenance visits. All patients in the study were under strict periodontal maintenance with no residual pockets at other sites at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, all patients included in the study had signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria were identified based on patient records and included: patients consuming medications that might affect soft and hard tissue healing/health (such as calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressive, and anticonvulsive medications); patients currently taking systemic antibiotics; chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a long-term basis (excluding low dose aspirin); presence of a pacemaker; patients with periodontal disease; cigarette smoking of more than 10 cigarettes a day; and missing data in patient's files.

Bone formation:The present study will be designed as a randomized controlled investigation, reporting on immediately loaded transitional transmucosal implants placed in the human posterior jaws and retrieved after 60 days. This study aims to compare the early peri-implant tissues response to implants with or without PEMF activation when placed in the human posterior jaws and subjected to immediate loading protocol. During a routine surgical procedure for the placement of conventional implants, each enrolled patient also will receive two transitional transmucosal implants (test-with and control-without PEMF), which were inserted in the posterior area of the jaws (mandible and maxilla), according to a randomization process. The transitional implants (3.0 mm x 10mm) will be placed to support an interim prosthesis until healing of the conventional implants. After 8 weeks, during the second-stage surgery to uncover the conventional implants, all transitional implants, and surrounding tissues will be retrieved for evaluation. This protocol was elaborated according to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Studies (SPIRIT) protocol. All eligible volunteers will be informed about the nature, potential risks, and benefits of participating in this study and will sign a free and informed consent term.