The group of periodontics researchers, led by Dr José Nart, has shown that caries are not only an infectious oral condition, but that they can be an indicator of the risk of developing peri-implantitis in people with dental implants. The study “Exploring the relationship among dental caries, nutritional habits, and peri‐implantitis”, published recently in the Journal of Periodontology, outlines the link between dental caries and certain nutritional habits with the development of this inflammatory disease that affects the tissues surrounding the dental implant.

In this paper “we have explored the possible relationship between caries and peri-implantitis in patients with missing teeth, while analysing the influence of a number of factors related to the patient’s lifestyle, such as nutrition, socio-economic status or having a dry mouth,” comments Dr Javier Vilarrasa, leading author of the study and lecturer in the Department of Periodontics. “The results we have obtained will enable us to implement effective prevention measures in patients with dental implants.”

A total of 169 patients participated in the study, which showed that patients with more than two caries were three times more likely to develop peri-implantitis. The study also revealed that certain lifestyle habits are associated with an increased risk of developing this inflammatory condition. As Dr José Nart points out, “patients who regularly consume a high level of sugar and who do not follow a Mediterranean diet, display a worse state of dental implant health.”

As the study’s principal investigators explain, these findings pose different clinical implications: First, the presence of caries in implant recipients could be seen as a possible factor influencing the appearance and severity of peri-implant diseases. Therefore, the risk of caries, as well as the patient's oral hygiene and lifestyle, should be evaluated and monitored throughout implant therapy. Second, the need to pay special attention to interproximal untreated fillings or caries adjacent to dental implants, as their presence may indicate poor oral hygiene and predispose the area to peri-implant inflammation.

Finally, as the research shows, periodontists and hygienists play an essential role in recommending to patients healthy eating habits and lifestyles that help prevent tooth decay, periodontal and peri-implant diseases.