Understanding peri-implantitis occurrence and recurrence following treatment: A patient-centered study

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed at gaining insight on patients´ perception of peri-implantitis and its treatment and also to explore the effect of treatment outcome on patients´ perception and satisfaction. Methods: Patients who had received peri-implantitis treatment were contacted and invited to participate in the questionnaire-based survey. Overall, 30 items were surveyed, including demographics, data concerning implant placement, diagnosis and signs/symptoms of peri-implantitis, level of education of disease, risk factors, knowledge of factors implicated in disease recurrence, and treatment delivered along with its self-perceived outcomes. Moreover, the treatment outcome was further recorded. Descriptive analyses and correlation tests were applied to explore association. Results: Based on an a priori sample size calculation, 100 patients with 258 implants subjected to peri-implantitis treatment were included. In total, 63% of the patients successfully responded to therapy displaying arrest in progressive bone loss, 26% demonstrated progressive bone loss (≥ 1 mm) and 11% were subjected to implant removal. The overall level of knowledge about peri-implantitis was moderately low, where ∼ 60% of the patients surveyed reported null knowledge about diagnosis, prevalence, or risk factors associated with disease occurrence, despite having received treatment of this disease. Compliers with supportive care demonstrated greater level of concern and knowledge regarding peri-implantitis and its recurrence. Patients were overall satisfied immediately (following therapy), at early (re-evaluation), and at late stages (during follow-up) with therapeutic outcomes of peri-implantitis, despite the therapeutic outcome achieved. In addition, patients accepted the possibility of disease recurrence and their role in minimizing it. Conclusion: Patient-reported information on factors related to peri-implantitis occurrence and recurrence is suboptimal. Nearly 60% of the patients are unaware of factors related to peri-implantitis ocurrence. However, peri-implantitis therapy does not seem to negatively interfere in the patients´ quality of life or satisfaction, despite the treatment outcomes. Plain language summary: This study examined how patients understand peri-implantitis and how they feel about its treatment. One hundred patients who received peri-implantitis therapy completed a questionnaire, and treatment outcomes were evaluated using x-rays. Most patients had limited knowledge about peri-implantitis, its causes, and risk factors, even after treatment. Patients who attended regular follow-up care showed greater awareness of the disease. Despite differences in treatment outcomes, including ongoing bone loss or implant removal, patients were generally satisfied with their treatment and accepted the possibility of disease recurrence. These findings highlight the need for better patient education, while showing that peri-implantitis treatment does not negatively affect patient satisfaction.