Periodontal and peri-implant bleeding on probing in patients undergoing supportive maintenance: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Assessment of periodontal and peri-implant inflammation, evidenced by bleeding on probing (BOP), among partially dentate patients receiving supportive periodontal care (SPC).

Material & methods: Patient charts from the Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine of Goethe-University Frankfurt with at least one dental implant were reviewed. Measurements included probing pocket depth (PPD), BOP, and full-mouth bleeding and plaque scores for all teeth and implants.

Results: 100 patients (median; lower/upper quartile: age 68.9; 62.6/76.5 years; 51 females, 6 smokers, 16 with anticoagulative medication, 6 localized stage III, 57 generalized stage III, 37 stage IV, 70 grade B, 30 Grade C, 22; 20/25 teeth left, 2; 1/4 implants) were examined. Peri-implant BOP (24; 11.5/41.5%) was significantly higher than BOP at teeth (14; 8/21.5%) (p < 0.001). A median of 0 (0/1) implants exhibited no BOP and 0 (0/1) only one site with BOP. Shallow pockets (PPD 1-3 mm) were significantly more frequent in teeth (93; 87/97%) than in implants (72.5; 58/94.5%; p < 0.001). Moderately deep pockets (PPD 4 and 5 mm) were less frequent in teeth compared to implants (6; 2/11%; 22; 5.5/33%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Peri-implant sites exhibit a higher prevalence of BOP compared to periodontal sites in SPC patients.

Clinical relevance: Practitioners providing supportive periodontal care to patients with dental implants should anticipate a greater prevalence of BOP around implants compared to teeth.