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% H2O2 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.