Air polishing systems in the management of peri-implant diseases

Abstract Body: Dental implants have demonstrated high predictability and overall patient satisfaction to rehabilitate partial and full edentulism. However, in spite of osseointegration dental implants are subjected to biological complications, mainly by inflammatory processes of the peri-implant tissues (peri-implant diseases). Peri-implant diseases are caused by bacterial biofilm accumulation on the implant/abutment surfaces and include two different entities: peri-implant mucositis, defined as an inflammatory lesion limited to the surrounding mucosa of an implant; and peri-implantitis, an inflammatory lesion of the mucosa which progresses by destruction of the peri-implant supporting bone.

The main objective in the treatment of peri-implant diseases is cause-related by mechanical removal of the biofilm. However, biofilm debridement can be challenging, especially in cases in which the rough implant surface is exposed to oral medium. During the last years, air-polishing systems have been evaluated for their efficacy in decontaminating exposed implant surfaces using both in in vitro and in vivo models.

The purpose of this presentation is to critically appraise these investigations where air-polishing systems have been used to debride biofilm from the implant surface/and or its restoration.

These will be the following specific objectives of this presentation:

To evaluate the efficacy of biofilm removal at in vitro models comparing ultrasound tips, air-polishing systems and titanium brushes.
To evaluate a protocol of primary prevention of peri-implantitis employing an air-polishing system and an ultrasound tip as part of a maintenance protocol used every 6 months over a period of 4 years.
To evaluate the clinical, microbiological and immunological effect of a surgical protocol of peri-implantitis that uses an air-polishing system together with an ultrasound tip to mechanically debride biofilm.