BACKGROUND: Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory reaction affecting both hard and soft tissues surrounding dental implants. This pathological condition is caused by a polymicrobial aggressive biofilm that colonizes the implant and abutment surface at the peri-implant crevice level. The present in vitro study evaluated different methods of implant surface decontamination and assessed whether the type of the implant surface influences the results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in an in vitro model of peri-implantitis using 30 implants. The implants were divided into 3 equal groups based on the surface characteristics: machined-surface, sand-blasted and acid-etched, and HA-coated. Implants were coated with E. coli biofilm. After an incubation period, they were decontaminated with 4 different methods: sonic scaler application, sonic scaler application with the chemical agent Perisolv® combination, Er: YAG laser treatment, and PDT therapy with methylene blue as a photosensitizer.

RESULTS: The highest level of decontamination was achieved for machined-surface implants and for the combined chemical-mechanical and Er: YAG laser treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the method of implant decontamination should be customized to the type of implant surface.

Keywords: Biofilms, Decontamination, Laser Therapy, Peri-Implantitis, Photochemotherapy, Anti-Infective Agents, Dental Implants, Durapatite, Escherichia coli, Photosensitizing Agents, Surface Properties