The referral pattern and treatment modality for peri-implant disease between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists

Chia-Dan Cheng; Yi-Wen Cathy Tsai; Wan-Chien Cheng; Fu-Gong Lin; Pei-Wei Weng; Ying-Wu Chen; Ren-Yeong Huang; Wei-Liang Chen; Yi-Shing Shieh; Cheng-En Sung

doi:10.1186/s12903-023-03135-3

The referral pattern and treatment modality for peri-implant disease between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists

BMC Oral Health. 2023 Jun 27;23(1):427. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03135-3.

Authors

Chia-Dan Cheng¹, Yi-Wen Cathy Tsai¹, Wan-Chien Cheng¹, Fu-Gong Lin^{2

3}, Pei-Wei Weng^{4

5}, Ying-Wu Chen¹, Ren-Yeong Huang¹, Wei-Liang Chen⁶, Yi-Shing Shieh⁷, Cheng-En Sung⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Section 2, Chang-Gong Rd, Nei-Hu District, 114, No. 325, Taipei, Taiwan.
² School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Orthopaedics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁶ Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁸ Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Section 2, Chang-Gong Rd, Nei-Hu District, 114, No. 325, Taipei, Taiwan. peter71130000@hotmail.com.

Abstract

Objectives: This study is to investigate the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentists in the management of peri-implant diseases between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists (NPDs).

Materials and methods: A total of 167 validated questionnaires were obtained from periodontists and NPDs, who had experience of placing implants for at least one year. Question I to IV asked how the dentist would respond if a patient came for treatment of their peri-implant diseases with four different scenarios according to resource of patient and disease severity. For each Scenario, dentists also replied which treatment procedures they would use if they decide to treat the patient.

Results: Periodontal training, resource of patient, and disease severity were shown to significantly influence the referral pattern and treatment modality in the management of peri-implant disease (p < 0.05). Periodontists were more likely to use variable treatment procedures, including occlusal adjustment (OR = 2.283, p < 0.01), oral hygiene instruction (OR = 3.751, p < 0.001), topical antiseptic agent (OR = 2.491, p < 0.005), non-surgical mechanical therapy (OR = 2.689, p < 0.001), surgical therapy (OR = 2.009, p < 0.01), and remove implant (OR = 3.486, p < 0.001) to treat peri-implant diseases, compared to NPDs.

Conclusion: The periodontal specialty training, resource of patient, and disease severity significantly influenced the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentist treating an implant diagnosed with peri-implant disease. This study also highlighted the importance of educating basic periodontal and peri-implant disease-related knowledge to all dentists regularly performing dental implant treatments.

Clinical relevance: Peri-implant diseases are highly prevalent among patients with dental implants. Periodontal specialty training could enhance using variable treatment procedures to treat peri-implant diseases for dentists.

Keywords: General practitioners; Peri-implant disease; Periodontists; Referral; Treatment modality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Dental Implants*
Dentists
General Practice, Dental
Humans
Peri-Implantitis* / therapy
Referral and Consultation

Substances

Dental Implants