Patient-centered outcomes after surgical treatment of peri-implantitis: a prospective clinical study

BACKGROUND: Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process affecting soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants, causing progressive marginal bone loss. Peri-implant surgery is the treatment of choice. However, evidence about its impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL) is limited. This study aimed to assess pain and QoL in the first seven post-operative days and measure patient satisfaction at the end of this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with peri-implantitis. Patients reported pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100mm every day during the first week after surgery. They then completed the OHIP-14sp questionnaire. A descriptive and inferential data analysis was used to assess the effect of surgical approach (resective, regenerative or combined), gender and working status on pain, satisfaction and QoL. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (93,2%) completed the daily pain VAS; scores ranged from 0 to 95 mm. Gender, occupation, or type of surgery had no significant effect upon its evolution. The mean total OHIP-14sp score was 16.7 (range = 5 to 33), indicating low to moderate deterioration in perceived oral health. Postoperative OHRQoL was significantly higher in working patients (mean difference (MD): 3.94; P = 0.042), and with the regenerative (MD: 6.34; P = 0.044) or the combined approach (MD: 5.41; P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of this study, postoperative pain was mild to moderate and decreased after the third day. Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis has an impact on QoL, especially when augmentation procedures are involved. This impact is higher in working patients. Key words:Patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, peri-implantitis, peri-implant surgery, dental implants.