Clinical Trends in the Prevention of Peri‐Implantitis: Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA) Foundation Survey Using the Delphi Method

ObjectiveTo assess clinical trends to prevent peri‐implantitis in applying a two‐step survey based on the Delphi method.Material and MethodsA panel of participants aged < 45 years old selected by the Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA) was asked to answer a survey with 75 statements prepared by a steering committee. Items were divided into 5 major areas: etiopathogenesis and epidemiology, surgical, implant, and prosthetic‐related factors on the onset/progression of peri‐implantitis, and self‐ and professional‐administered oral hygiene. Degree of agreement or disagreement among participants was reported.ResultsIn total, 44 participants responded favorably to participate in the survey. From the 75 statements formulated, 35 were agreed on in a first round (46.7%). From the 40 statements that did not reach consensus, 16 were agreed on in a second round (40.0%). Overall, 51 out of 75 statements (68.0%) achieved consensus in a second round. From these, 36 (48.0%) were in agreement, while 15 (20.0%) were in disagreement. The sections that explored surgical‐related factors and prosthesis‐related factors of peri‐implantitis yielded the highest level of conflict (9/18 and 8/14 statements demonstrated indeterminate agreement, respectively). In the sections on the etiopathogenesis and epidemiology of peri‐implantitis and implant‐related factors, most items reached consensus (14/17 and 10/13 items, respectively). The section on self‐ and professional‐administered oral hygiene obtained the highest level of consensus, with only 1/13 items showing dissent among the participants.ConclusionThe results of this study on the clinical trends in the prevention of peri‐implantitis showed consensus agreement for ∼70% of the statements evaluated.