Role of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of peri-implant diseases: results of a meta-analysis.

Abstract

Peri-implantitis is an infectious-inflammatory disease that affects the tissues surrounding implants and is one of the main causes of implant failure. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural polymer with multiple biomedical and cosmetic applications. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of peri-implant disease.

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA, the question was established: is HA treatment effective as a sole or adjunctive therapy for the treatment of peri-implantitis? PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and Web of Science were searched until December 2024. Inclusion criteria were interventional studies (RCTs and case series), according to the PICOs strategy in subjects with peri-implant pathology (participants), treated with HA (intervention) compared to conventionally treated or untreated patients (control) and assessing response to treatment (outcomes).

Results: Thirty-two studies were obtained and four were selected. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Meta-analysis of parameters was performed for pooled studies and for subgroups. The overall effect was in favour of the experimental group.

Conclusions: The use of HA as background or adjunctive therapy in peri-implantitis may be effective, although well-designed RCTs are warranted to validate the efficacy of the product.

Systematic review registration: Identifier (INPLANSY 2024100050).