A new study has uncovered a unique connection between peri-implantitis and activated fibroblasts, and identified specific marker genes that could revolutionize the management of the condition. The findings could provide a promising step toward better diagnosis and targeted treatments for peri-implantitis.
Peri-implantitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects dental implants, and with the growing popularity of implants as a solution for missing teeth, its incidence has been on the rise. The condition presents distinct clinical challenges compared with periodontitis, particularly with its higher likelihood of recurrence and more difficult management. Despite overlapping treatment approaches, the underlying differences in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis and periodontitis have remained largely unclear.
However, in a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Dentistry, researchers at Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea, may have shed light on these differences, revealing a critical link between peri-implantitis and activated fibroblasts. These cells, which are involved in tissue repair, become abnormally proliferative in peri-implantitis. The research also identified three specific genes—ACTA2, FAP, and PDGFRβ—that are overexpressed in peri-implantitis but not in periodontitis.
“This study provides essential insights into the role of activated fibroblasts as a distinctive factor in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis vs periodontitis. Although peri-implantitis and periodontitis share clinical similarities, they exhibit distinct biological pathways. This research identifies three key biomarkers—ACTA2, FAP, and PDGFRβ—that are markedly overexpressed in peri-implantitis. These biomarkers have the potential to facilitate differential diagnosis and contribute to the development of peri-implantitis–specific therapeutic approaches,” emphasized co–study author Yun Hak Kim, Professor at Pusan National University.
To explore the underlying genetic, immunologic, and physiologic factors involved in peri-implantitis and periodontitis, the researchers collected gingival tissue samples from patients affected by both conditions. After processing and sequencing the RNA from these tissues, the study revealed the three biomarker genes that could serve as disease-specific indicators for peri-implantitis. This discovery could allow clinicians to make more accurate diagnoses and tailor their treatment plans more effectively.
“Biomarker-based diagnostics could minimize misdiagnoses between peri-implantitis and periodontitis, thereby enhancing patient prognoses. By providing targeted treatment strategies for high-risk patients, particularly in peri-implantitis, this approach may contribute to reducing recurrence rates and improving overall therapeutic effectiveness,” Dr. Kim added.
Currently, treatment for periodontitis involves mechanical procedures to restore the structural integrity of teeth and various antimicrobial therapies. The treatment for peri-implantitis follows a similar path, but managing the disease is more complex as a result of its different pathophysiology. The genes identified in the new study could provide the basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies specifically aimed at peri-implantitis.
“Over the next 5 to 10 years, this study’s findings could serve as a fundamental basis for the development of highly specialized, targeted therapies addressing peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on its unique biological and immunological characteristics compared to periodontitis,” Dr. Kim underscored.
The researchers believe this targeted approach could significantly contribute to extending the durability and success rates of dental implants, especially among patients at elevated risk of peri-implantitis because of underlying inflammatory conditions. Additionally, by elucidating the role of activated fibroblasts in peri-implantitis, the research could offer valuable insights to advance the understanding and treatment of other chronic inflammatory diseases with similar cellular mechanisms.
With these advancements, the future of peri-implantitis diagnosis and treatment looks promising, offering the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the recurrence of the condition.
Source: Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
