The adjunctive effect of a titanium brush in implant surface decontamination at peri-implantitis surgical regenerative interventions: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To evaluate an additional mechanical approach, a titanium brush, in the implant surface decontamination performed during the regenerative surgical therapy of peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial, with a 1-year follow-up, was carried out. After a hygienic phase, peri-implantitis-affected implants were randomly assigned to a control or to a test group. In the control group, implant surface was decontaminated both mechanically and chemically with 3% H(2) O(2) and plastic ultrasonic scalers, respectively, while in the test group, a titanium brush was also applied. Intrabony defects in both groups were filled with an alloplastic material (beta-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite) and covered with a collagen membrane. The primary outcome was the reduction in probing pocket depth (PPD) at the deepest site. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, 15 in each group. At 12 months, reduction in PPD was 4.87 (standard deviation [SD] 1.55) mm and 2.85 (SD: 1.91) mm, respectively (p = 0.009). The correspondent figures for residual PPD were 3.6 (SD: 0.91) and 4.92 (SD: 1.26) mm, respectively (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The additional use of a titanium brush during regenerative treatment of peri-implantitis resulted in statistically significant benefits in terms of PPD reduction after 12 months.