Five-Year Follow-Up of 8 and 6 mm Locking-Taper Implants Treated with a Reconstructive Surgical Protocol for Peri-Implantitis: A Retrospective Evaluation

Abstract

Peri-implant infections, in the absence of adequate treatment, can finally lead to premature loss of the implant. Among targeted protocols recently proposed for the treatment of peri-implant bone defects, and in the case of short implants, reconstructive surgery represents a recommended option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes, in terms of maintenance, of a reconstructive treatment for peri-implantitis in locking-taper plateau-design single-crown implants, followed for 5 years after surgery. A retrospective evaluation was conducted in 20 patients treated with access flap surgery, concomitant chemical and mechanical surface decontamination, and bone grafting (using a self-hardening mixture of bone substitutes and biphasic calcium sulfate without the use of membranes). Of the 21 implants assessed, 9 were 8 mm-length, and 12 were 6 mm-length. Implant loss and treatment success were, respectively, 0% and 80.95% after 5 years from surgery. All parameters related to bone levels and soft tissue conditions significantly improved after 3 years and remained stable at the 5-year follow-up. The proposed protocol, followed by an effective supporting periodontal therapy, demonstrated the maintenance of the function of all implants, providing adequate stability during the healing process after surgery and limiting the onset of disease recurrence.