Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels After Surgical Anti-infective Mechanical Therapy for Peri-Implantitis: A 12-Month Follow-Up

Background: The aim of the present case series was to evaluate the effects of a surgical anti-infective mechanical therapy for peri-implantitis on clinical parameters and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels at 12 months post-therapy. Methods: Ten patients with peri-implantitis were treated with open surgical debridement, abrasive sodium carbonate air-powder, and resin curets. Clinical parameters were recorded before and 3 and 12 months after therapy. At these timepoints, the total amounts of TNF-alpha in the peri-implant crevicular fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: At 3 and 12 months, the anti-infective therapy resulted in significant improvements in all clinical parameters (P<0.05). Moreover, the total amount of TNF-alpha was significantly reduced at 3 and 72 months after therapy compared to baseline (P<0.05), paralleling the changes in mean probing depth and bleeding on probing. Conclusion: The anti-infective mechanical therapy reduced the crevicular levels of TNF-alpha in sites affected by peri-implantitis over a period of 12 months, and this phenomenon was associated with improvements in clinical parameters. J Periodontol 2009; 80:693-699.