Objective: The main objective of this study aimed to evaluate the response to treatment in implants with peri-implantitis regarding the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa.
Materials and methods: One hundred implants with peri-implantitis were treated non-surgically at the Prosthodontics and Occlusion Teaching Unit of the University of Valencia. Records were registered at day zero (recession, bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing depth, bone loss and plaque index), at 1, 3 and 6 months.
Results: In both groups, a slight increase in recession and disappearance of suppuration took place, and no bone loss was observed during the following 6 months. However, after an initial reduction, probing depth, bleeding on probing and plaque index increased again in the group without keratinized mucosa (KM).
Conclusions: Implants with KM presented better results after non-surgical treatment as well as in their medium-term evolution, although it would be advisable to increase the number of samples in order to achieve greater scientific evidence and standardization in the treatment protocol.
Clinical relevance: The role of keratinized mucosa in the development of peri-implantitis has been mentioned in many publications, but less has been emphasized regarding its influence on the success of the treatment of this pathology. The presence of keratinized mucosa has been found to play a key role in the evolution of the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. The amount of keratinized mucosa should be considered in the treatment of peri-implantitis, as well as when planning connective tissue grafts accompanying the decontamination of implants in the absence of keratinized mucosa.
Keywords: dental implants; keratinized mucosa; non-surgical treatment; peri-implant tissues; peri-implantitis.