Research Corner - Microbial Dysbiosis, Titanium Release, and Peri- implantitis
Dr Kitty Guo, our ECG Academic representative, has kindly written a precis of a really thought-provoking article that was recently published.
Microbial Dysbiosis, Titanium Release, and Peri- implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a distinct disease made unique by the interface between the implant, the human tissues and the cohabiting microbiota. This review provides a comprehensive overview of what makes the peri-implantitis disease process different from peri-implant mucositis and periodontitis, including the peri-implant sulcus, compared with a gingival sulcus and variations within peri-implant microbial communities, compared with periodontitis.
This review has a focus on the potential for implant derived titanium particles to influence peri-implantitis by activating inflammation or altering the microbial community, and whether this could be one of the key factors that makes peri-implantitis different to periodontitis. They conclude that, though titanium particles are ‘virtually ubiquitous’ in peri-implantitis, there is so far insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions at this stage.
This is a potentially important area for future research, as current methods to clean implants such as titanium brushes have been shown to release titanium particles in both in vitro and in vivo studies.