Use of TiBrush for surface decontamination at peri-implantitis sites in dogs: Radiographic and histological outcomes.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy on the healing of mechanical decontamination of infected implant surfaces performed with a titanium brush. METHODS: Mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted bilaterally in six dogs. After 3 months, two unsubmerged implants were installed on both sides of the mandible. Three months later, peri-implantitis was induced with ligatures for 3 months and then removed. After 1 month, surgical mechanical decontamination of the surfaces was performed either with a rotatory titanium brush or gauzes soaked in saline. Five month later, biopsies were retrieved. Evaluations on X-rays taken of the mesiodistal plane and on histological slides prepared in a buccal-lingual plane were performed. RESULTS: After the induction of peri-implantitis, a mean marginal bone loss of 2.6 +/- 0.6 mm and 1.9 +/- 1.0 mm was observed in the brush and gauze groups by X-ray, respectively. Five months after treatment, a mean gain of marginal bone of 0.6 mm was obtained in both groups. The mean closures of the vertical and horizontal defects were 0.6 mm and 0.6 mm for the brush group, and 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm for the gauze group, respectively. Histologically, a loss of attachment at the buccal aspect of 2.2 +/- 0.9 mm in the brush group and of 2.3 +/- 0.5 mm in the gauze group was found. No statistically-significant differences were found after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical implant surface decontamination performed with a rotatory titanium brush resulted in a marginal bone level gain, yielding a low content of inflammatory infiltrate close to the marginal bone.