Correlations of Peri-Implant Parameters with Plaque and Inflammation Indices in Posterior Fixed Implant-Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose. The aim of the study was to analyze the peri-implant clinical and radiological parameters and their correlations with the plaque index (mPI) and the inflammation index (GI) in fixed implant-prosthetic therapy. Materials and method. This research was a retrospective study including 48 patients with posterior partial edentulism (age: mean 63.04±10.723 years) treated by implant-supported metal-ceramic bridges, with a mean 6.19 years follow-up. A total of 166 implants were evaluated by clinical (peri-implant pocket depth-PPD) and radiological (peri-implant marginal bone loss-MBL) examen. Plaque index (mPI) and inflammation index (GI) were recorded for each implant site. Mean values of PPD, MBL (mesial), MBL (distal) were assessed.

A comparative analysis was conducted regarding relation between PPD and MBL values (distal and mesial) in relation to the mPI and GI indices using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Correlations between the variables PPD, MBL (mesial), and MBL (distal) for the entire study group were calculated by Pearson linear correlation coefficient. Results. There were very high positive correlations between pocket depth and mesial marginal bone loss (r=0.951, p <0.001; 95% CI: 0.934-0.964); pocket depth and distal marginal bone loss (r=0.961, p <0.001; 95% CI: 0.947-0.971), and mesial and distal bone loss values (r=0.935, p <0.001; 95% CI: 0.913-0.952).

Conclusion. The findings indicate that peri-implant bone loss and pocket depth are strongly correlated and significantly influenced by plaque accumulation and inflammation, highlighting the critical role of the patients' oral hygiene in maintaining peri-implant tissue health.