Use of Oral Irrigators in Peri-Implant Maintenance Therapy: Clinical and Microbiological Outcomes Over a 7-Year Period

Background

Prospective studies investigating the influence of oral irrigators (OIs) as adjuncts to conventional oral hygiene (OH) procedures during periodontal/peri-implant maintenance therapy (PPMT) have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to longitudinally evaluate the clinical and microbiological outcomes of regular compliers (RCs) under PPMT performing OH versus those using OIs adjunctive to OH over 7 years.

Methods

In a prospective PPMT program, 51 RCs were deemed eligible to participate in this study. Based on the use of OIs, two groups were formed—(1) OH (manual brushing/flossing + interdental brushes; n = 27); (2) OH + OIs (n = 24). Periodontal and peri-implant examinations and microbiological assessments were evaluated at two time points: T1 (first PPMT appointment after starting OIs use) and T2 (after 7 years under PPMT).

Results

The OH + OIs group exhibited better peri-implant and periodontal clinical parameters, with lower total bacterial and T. denticola and F. nucleatum counts at peri-implant and periodontal sites compared to the OH group. Additionally, the OH + OIs group showed significantly greater reductions in plaque index from T1 to T2, demonstrating an additional positive effect of OIs.

Conclusions

PPMT resulted in clinical and microbiological benefits among RCs in the long term. However, the adjunctive use of OIs led to significantly better peri-implant and periodontal clinical parameters, along with lower total bacterial, T. denticola, and F. nucleatum counts compared to OH alone.