Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Levels in Peri-Implant Sulcular Fluid in Peri-Implantitis Patients as a Point-of-Care Biomarker: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) increase to pathologically elevated levels in peri-implant diseases as a result of the destruction of peri-implant tissues. Active (a) and not latent (l) MMP-8 is shown to be truly representative of the disease progression. The objective of the study was therefore to evaluate if aMMP-8 levels in PISF predict the severity of peri-implant diseases in peri-implantitis patients and serve as a possible biomarker. A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PubMed/Medline and EBSCOhost databases. Studies concerning the use of aMMP-8 in the diagnosis of peri-implant disease that evaluated its effectiveness as a biomarker for peri-implant diseases were selected. The search strategy provided a total of 687 studies; only seven studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the present systematic review. The studies demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of aMMP-8 in PISF of peri-implantitis patients than in healthy controls. aMMP-8 was shown to be a more sensitive biomarker with a questionable correlation to gingival index in assessing peri-implant disease activity and progression. These findings imply the potential adjunctive use of aMMP-8 in the diagnosis of peri-implant disease either alone or along with other pro-inflammatory biomarkers.