The Role of Lipopolysaccharide in Initiation and Progression of Peri-implant Mucositis

Osseointegrated dental implants are becoming more common as an option for replacing the missing or damaged teeth. Peri-implant infections are caused by anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria. This may initiate an inflammatory release of cytokines that will enhance the accumulation of neutrophils in the implant lesion that is essential for the inflammatory and degenerative processes in periodontal tissues. Eighty subjects were enrolled in this study, 40 with peri-implant mucositis and 40 implants that were successfully integrated (42 males and 38 females). The same 40 patients were followed up after three weeks to monitor and observe the progression of inflammation around the implant. Peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) samples were collected by perio-paper from all subjects attending the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at AL-Karama Specialized Dental Center and AL-Ma'amoun Specialized Dental Center, Baghdad, Iraq. (PISF) samples were examined and identified by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Compared with patients with a successful implant, those with peri-implant mucositis exhibited a higher level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in PISF (P=0.00000), and then declined significantly following 3 weeks of adequate oral hygiene instructions. The current study concluded that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reflect, associate, and predict well with the clinical disease activity and progression of peri-implant mucositis.