Bone Metabolism Markers During Early Wound Healing of Dental Implants

Methods:  Eight subjects (57±5 yrs old, 6 female) scheduled for one-stage implant placement were included into this preliminary study.  Inclusion criteria were healthy non-smokers, single edentulous area at mandibular posterior sextant with intact adjacent teeth. Adjacent teeth and anatomically similar cross-arch tooth were included as positive and negative controls.   PI, GI, and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were recorded at surgery and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 12 weeks post-operatively. PICF and GCF volumes were determined using Periotron^®.  Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Osteocalcin (OC), Osteopontin (OPN), Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Adiponectin (APN) levels were analyzed using multiplex bead-based assays.  Statistical analysis was performed by using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results:  ISQ levels increased by 6 units, from implant placement to 12 weeks post-operatively (P<0.05). The decrease in PICF volume for the same time period was 44% (P<0.05), while GCF volume fluctuations were negligible. There was a 2-fold increase in GI (P<0.05) at surgical site during 1^stpostoperative week, with gradual decrease to nonsurgical levels by week 12. PI was well controlled throughout the study. PICF OPN total amount was 2-fold higher than GCF OPN at week 1 (P>0.05).  GCF OPN total amounts from surgical and non-surgical sites were similar.  APN showed an increase at surgical site at week one for both PICF and GCF (P>0.05). OPG and PTH were detectable at low levels throughout study period.

Conclusions:  Within the limits of this study, the observed PICF OPN total amount increase appears to be specific to peri-implant surgical trauma. Additional studies are necessary to investigate the role of OPN in peri-implant wound related complications.