Mapping of inflammatory biomarkers in the peri-implant crevicular fluid before and after the occlusal loading of narrow diameter implants

Objective To monitor the cytokine release patterns in the peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and to investigate which factors affect the success rate of narrow diameter implants (NDI) during the first year. Material and methods Mandibular implant overdentures (IOD) retained by 2 NDI were installed in 16 clinically atrophic edentulous patients. The following parameters were monitored during the first year: (i) peri-implant health parameters (plaque index (PI), calculus presence (CP), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BoP); (ii) cytokine concentrations in the PICF (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10); (iii) implant stability quotient (ISQ); (iv) marginal bone level (MBL) and bone level change (BLC); (v) implant success. The insertion torque, bone type, mandibular atrophy, time since edentulism, and smoking habits were also recorded. All data were analyzed using multivariable multilevel mixed-effects regression models. Results The variability in the TNF-α release patterns temporarily reduced at weeks (w) 8–12, while the IL-1β concentrations remained low until they peaked at w48 [ p