Utilization of LMHFV as an aid in treating peri-implantitis

Abstract

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process initiating in the soft tissue and then progressing to the hard tissue surrounding dental implants leading to loss of osseous support and potential loss of the implant if not identified early in the process. This process initiates in the soft tissue, which become inflamed spreading to the underlying bone leading to decreases in bone density with subsequent crestal resorption and thread exposure.  In the absence of treatment of the peri-implantitis, the bone loss at the osseous implant interface progresses with inflammatory mediated decrease in the bone density that moves apically, eventually leading to mobility of the implant and its failure. Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) has been shown to improve bone density, stimulate osteoblastic activity and arrest progression of peri-implantitis with improvement of the bone or graft around the affected implant with or without surgery as part of the treatment. Two cases are presented with use of LMHFV to augment treatment.