Warfarin Induced Peri Implantitis―A Review

Peri implant infection is a very commonly seen complication following the placement of dental implants. It usually affects both the soft tissue and hard tissue surrounding the dental implants. Studies have shown the prevalence rates of dental implants to be around 56%^(1,2). There are several risk factors predisposing a patient with a dental implant to periimplantitis. Some of these include systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive disorders etc., habits such as smoking and alcoholism, poor oral hygiene and improper maintenance of the dental implant. Although a proper protocol has not been found to treat periimplantitis, several conservative and surgical approaches are used to treat periimplantitis. The baseline of treatment is improving the oral hygiene by means of mechanical cleaning and the usage anti-infective oral rinses^(2,3). Laser and photodynamic therapy have been found to yield excellent results in the treatment of periimplantitis and have come into light in the recent years. Surgical therapy includesresective therapy and regeneration using bone replacement grafts. The following is a brief review of the various studies done, to understand the etiology, risk factors and treatment modalities of periimplantitis⁽⁴⁾.