Association Between Interproximal Contact Loss and Peri-Implant Diseases in Non-Molar Sites

This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between interproximal contact loss (ICL) and peri-implant diseases, determined its prevalence and distribution, and examined relationships with clinical and radiographic variables. Calibrated evaluators examined adult patients with single implant-supported prostheses (ISPs) in non-molar sites. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between ICL and peri-implant diseases, as well as with variables of interest. A total of 262 patients with 323 ISPs were evaluated. Mean follow-up time since implant placement was 11.2±1.5 years. ICL was observed in 43.6% of mesial and 34.6% of distal sites at the implant level (p=0.03), and in 62.6% of participants. Open mesial and distal contacts were associated with increased odds of peri-implantitis (OR=1.648, p=0.045; OR=1.938, p=0.004). Light mesial contacts were also associated with a higher risk of presenting this disease (OR=2.214, p=0.008). Marginal bone loss was associated with light mesial (OR=1.104, p=0.009) and with both open (OR = 1.175, p = 0.008) and light distal contacts (OR = 1.181, p = 0.009). Food impaction was associated with open (OR=10.555, p=0.003), light mesial (OR=12.210, p=0.002), and light distal contacts (OR=5.999, p=0.006). At mesial sites, open contacts were further associated with reduced interproximal soft tissue height and a history of periodontitis (OR=10.641, p=0.036). In conclusion, ICLs are highly prevalent and associated with peri-implantitis, Marginal bone loss, food impaction, reduced papilla height, and a history of periodontitis.