Implant patient compliance varies by periodontal treatment history

Background: This retrospective study aims to assess compliance to supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) among patients treated with dental implants with different periodontitis histories and the possible influence of their compliance on peri-implant marginal bone level. Methods: Dental records of 106 patients treated with at least one dental implant were reviewed. A single operator who did not provide care to the patients recorded the following during the first year of implant function (first year of follow-up), during the first 5 years of follow-up, and during the entire follow-up duration: 1) number of recalls; 2) compliance, calculated from registered attendance; 3) periodontal disease history; 4) peri-implant radiographic bone level from most recent examination; and 5) clinical parameters including probing depth and bleeding on probing. Clinical and radiographic parameters were assessed at site level and analyzed for possible associations among them and with demographic parameters. Results: Collected data were based on 156 implants with an average of 6.5 - 3.4 years (range: 1 to 13 years) in function. Patients with periodontitis history demonstrated greater compliance than patients without periodontitis history during the two longer follow-up times. Over time, the majority of patients demonstrated partial compliance (71% to 80% of patients). Peri-implant bone level averaged 0.9 - 1.1 mm, without significant association with compliance level; however, positive periodontitis history and more years in function were significantly associated with greater peri-implant bone loss. Conclusions: Patients with implants partially comply with scheduled SPT, regardless of periodontitis history. Patients who had received periodontal treatment demonstrated better compliance than those without prior periodontal therapy experiences. J Periodontol 2017;88:846-853.