Supportive treatment following peri-implantitis surgery: An RCT using titanium curettes or chitosan brushes

Aims The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of two maintenance programmes when treatments were performed every third month from six to 18 months following surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Materials and methods At the 6-month post-surgical evaluation, 44 subjects were randomized into groups receiving supportive peri-implant treatment either by the use of titanium curettes or chitosan brushes at implants registered with BoP and PPD >3 mm. Follow-up examinations and supportive therapy were performed 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months post-surgically. Clinical and radiographic assessments were made. Results The percentage of implants registered with inflammation was high at the 6-month baseline examination (>80% bleeding on probing in both test and control group) and remained high throughout the observation period. Similar observations were made for all clinical parameters, and no significant difference was found between test and control groups. Conclusions In the present study, no statistical significant difference was found when supportive peri-implant treatment was performed with either titanium curettes or chitosan brushes. Within the limits of the study, the results might indicate the need of more effective submucosal cleaning procedures following peri-implant surgery.