Treatment of peri-implant mucositis with a chitosan brush-A pilot randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

This aim of this study was to evaluate a chitosan brush for the treatment of peri-implant mucositis. A total of 11 patients with a combined total of 24 dental implants and who were diagnosed with peri-implant mucositis were included in this 6-month, split mouth, pilot clinical trial. Implants were randomly assigned to either treatment with a chitosan brush using an oscillating dental hand piece or treatment with titanium curettes. Supportive treatment was provided at 3months. Two calibrated periodontists, blinded to treatment group, performed all examinations, including probing pocket depths (PPD) and bleeding on probing (mBoP). The changes in clinical parameters were compared between groups at 2weeks, 4weeks and 6months. A Mann-Whitney U test with an alpha level of 0.05 was used for the statistical analyses. Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in mBoP between baseline and 6months. The test implants treated with the chitosan brush had a better improvement in mBoP at 2weeks and 4weeks compared to the implants treated with the titanium curettes. The reduction in PPD was significantly better in the test group at 4weeks. All implants had stable bone levels, as seen on radiographs between baseline and 6months. Reduced signs of inflammation were seen in both groups 6months after the baseline treatment and 3months after maintenance. A chitosan brush seems to be a safe and efficient device for debridement of dental implants.