Clinical Assessment of Peri-Implant Tissues in Patients with Varying Severity of Chronic Periodontitis

This retrospective study assessed the health of peri-implant tissues in patients with varying severity of chronic periodontitis. Sixty-one subjects aged 44 to 70 years (median age 58 years) were recruited. Based on severity of periodontitis, 31 subjects were classified as having severe generalized chronic periodontitis, and the remaining 30 subjects had mild or no periodontitis. Social and medical histories were obtained from each patient. A comprehensive periodontal examination included: plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and radiographic bone loss. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact and chi-square tests for categorical variables, and t-test for continuous variables. There was a statistically significant greater loss of attachment (p < .05) around implants in the group with severe periodontitis compared to the no/mild periodontitis group. Because of the greater loss of clinical attachment around implants placed in patients with generalized severe chronic periodontitis, close monitoring of these patients is suggested to prevent both development of peri-implantitis and recurrence of periodontal infection.