The Role of Dental Hygiene Procedures in Disruption of Healthy Homeostasis in Tissues Surrounding Dental Implants - Phase I

Dental implants have revolutionized the field of dentistry, providing improvements in function and esthetics. They are not, however, without risks. Bone loss around implants (i.e. periimplantitis) is an emerging public health concern. Untreated, peri-implantitis leads to implant loss and jawbone defects. Nonetheless, existing therapies have failed to show long-term efficacy. The pathogenesis of peri-implantitis is believed to be of bacterial etiology similar to periodontal disease. Therefore, existing treatments duplicate strategies for the treatment of natural teeth. However, the titanium (Ti) surface of implants is quite dissimilar to teeth. Recent work from our lab has demonstrated that peri-implantitis is associated with increased release of Ti particles around implants. These findings suggest that treatments targeting periimplantitis must be designed around Ti material properties. A gap in knowledge exists regarding the potential triggers of increased Ti dissolution from the implant surface and the mechanisms by which Ti dissolution products amplify peri-implant inflammation. The aim of this study is to determine if the use of tooth-driven treatment approaches increase Ti in the submucosal plaque.