Temperature of periimplant tissues in clinically successful implants: an observational clinical study in humans

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate periimplant tissue temperature in a successful implant. It has been shown that periimplant disease and mucositis are inflammatory diseases. As such, one of the main clinical signs is the change in temperature. We try to establish normal values of temperature with an easy to use appliance.

Design: Fifty-one individuals were enrolled in this study. Only 1 implant per patient was included. The implants were clinically and radiographically examined and diagnosed as clinical successful implants. An infrared ear thermometer was used to measure periimplant temperature (PIT) and the difference with the sublingual temperature (ΔT). These data were analyzed using the Student t test, analysis of variance, and cluster analysis.

Results: Statistically significant differences in PIT were observed between the second sextant and the fourth and fifth sextants. These differences were not significant on considering ΔT. In addition, for the clinically and radiographically successful implants, ΔT for all sextants showed a mean of 0.81 (CI, 0.57–1.04).

Conclusions: We have found a difference in outcome between periimplant temperature and the temperature differential. PIT depends on the anatomical location, though ΔT is an independent measurement with a value of 0.81°C.