Does prophylactic application of doxycycline at the implant-abutment interface improve clinical outcomes of dental implants?

Abstract

Design Randomised controlled clinical trial. Data sources Not applicable. Study aims This split-mouth randomised controlled clinical trial assessed the effects of placing doxycycline hyclate (Atridox) at the implant-abutment interface on the short-term clinical outcomes of dental implants. Methods The study sample included 20 patients; each patient had two mandibular implants placed, one on either side of the mandible, resulting in a total of 40 implants placed in the study sample. At the time of final prosthesis delivery, doxycycline hyclate (Atridox 10% doxycycline hyclate) was injected at the implant-abutment interface of 20 randomly selected implants on the test side (N = 20) while no intervention was done on the control side (N = 20). The primary outcome measure was changes in pocket probing depth while secondary outcome measures included the incidence of peri-implant mucositis, bleeding on probing, and changes in marginal bone levels on mesial and distal bone aspects of the implant. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Results The results showed favourable effects of prophylactic doxycycline application. Marginal bone levels and pocket probing depths after 6 and 12 months on the test side were less compared to the control side and these differences were statistically significant. The test side also showed fewer implants with bleeding on probing and lower risk of peri-implant mucositis after 3, 6 and 12 months. Conclusion Prophylactic placement of doxycycline hyclate may reduce peri-implant bone loss and pocket probing depths, and may also reduce the risk of peri-implant mucositis.