Efficacy of mechanical debridement with and without adjunct antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of peri-implantitis among moderate cigarette-smokers and waterpipe-users

Objective: The aim was to assess the efficacy of mechanical debridement (MD) with and without adjunct antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the treatment of peri-implantitis among cigarette-smokers and waterpipe-users. Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with peri-implantitis were included. Demographic data was collected using a questionnaire. Individuals in the test- and control-groups underwent MD with adjunct aPDT and MD alone, respectively. Peri-implant clinical (plaque-index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP] and probing depth [PD]) and radiographic (crestal bone loss [CBL]) inflammatory parameters were measured at baseline and at 6- and 12-months follow-up. Sample-size estimation was performed, and statistical analysis was done. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Ninety-eight male patients with peri-implantitis (34 cigarette-smokers, 32 waterpipe-users and 32 never-smokers) were included. At baseline, there was no difference in the peri-implant PI, PD and CBL in all groups; and BOP levels were significantly high among never-smokers (n = 16) (P < 0.01) than cigarette-smokers (n = 17) and waterpipe-users (n = 16). There was no difference in PI, BOP, PD and CBL among cigarette-smokers (n = 17) and waterpipe-users (n = 16) that underwent MD alone at 3- and 6-months’ follow-up compared with baseline. Compared with baseline, PI (P < 0.05) and PD (P < 0.05) were significantly lower among cigarette-smokers (n = 17) and waterpipe-users (n = 16) that underwent MD + aPDT at 3-months’ follow-up. At 6-months’ follow-up, PI, BOP and PD were significantly lower in never-smokers (n = 16) than their respective baseline and 3-months’ follow up outcomes. Conclusion: MD with adjunct aPDT is effective for the treatment of peri-implantitis. Routine oral hygiene maintenance plays a role in the overall success of MD with or without aPDT in patients with peri-implantitis.