Plaque score change as an indicator for periimplant health in periodontal patients with immediately restored dental implants.

BACKGROUND

Patients with a history of periodontitis might have a higher risk for implant failure as compared with periodontally healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to look into this risk factor by examining the association between plaque scores, probing depths (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) around teeth and immediately restored dental implants up to 1 year after implant surgery.

METHODS

Patients with partial edentulism, diagnosed with and previously treated for generalized chronic periodontitis, received dental implants, abutments, and cemented provisional prostheses up to 72 hours after implant surgery. Plaque scores, PD, and BOP were recorded and evaluated 6 and 12 months postsurgery.

RESULTS

Plaque scores deteriorated slightly around teeth and improved around implants. No significant change was observed in the distribution of PD around teeth. The proportion of shallow pockets increased around implants. Improvement in plaque scores was associated with a stable/reduced PD, whereas deterioration in plaque scores was associated with increased PD around implants and teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

A direct relationship was found between plaque score improvement and stable/reduced PD. Therefore, partially edentulous patients with a history of periodontitis should be encouraged to improve their plaque scores to maintain shallower pockets around implants.