ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Peri-implant maintenance of immediate function implants: a pilot study comparing hyaluronic acid and chlorhexidine

Introduction: In implants, maintenance assumes an important role. The role of chlorhexidine (CHX) is well known in maintenance, while only limited evidence exists on the practical use of hyaluronic acid (HA). The objective of this study was to compare the health status of the peri-implant complex (hard and soft tissues surrounding the implant) during the healing period of immediate function implants, using HA or CHX gels in the patient's maintenance protocol. Study population and methodology: Thirty complete edentulous patients, with four immediate function Branemark System implants placed in the mandible (total of 120 implants), were randomly assigned to two groups (HA and CHX) using only these two chemicals in their daily implant self-care. Both groups were followed up for 6 months, with clinical observations on the 10th day, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months post-surgically. Results: During the course of the study, HA and CHX produced good results in maintaining a healthy peri-implant complex in immediate function implants for complete rehabilitations in the edentulous mandible. Statistically significant differences were found in favour of the HA group in the modified bleeding index on the second observation (P = 0.003). The difference was more marked in the axial implants placed in the fifth sextant (P = 0.05). Correlation coefficient between plaque and bleeding index revealed a potentially better result for CHX at 6 months. Conclusion: The findings point out the importance of a maintenance protocol in immediate function implants. Both chemicals are valid tools for implant maintenance. The authors suggest that it might be advantageous to administer HA in the first 2 months and CHX between 2 and 6 months. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]