Osteogenic markers in peri‐implant crevicular fluid in immediate and delayed‐loaded dental implants: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction The study evaluates the levels of matrix metalloprotease‐8 (MMP‐8), and Cathepsin‐K (CatK) in peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) among patients with immediate loaded (IL) and delayed‐loaded (DL) implants at different time points to know the inflammation and osteogenic status. Methods The study population consisted of two groups (n = 25, each group) with a mean age of 28.7 ± 3.5 years, and PICF was collected. MMP‐8 and CatK levels were quantified through ELISA. Results We observed the concentrations of inflammatory markers (MMP‐8 and CatK) at three time points in the IL and DL groups. The mean concentration of MMP‐8 in the IL group was 9468 ± 1230 pg/mL, 5547 ± 1088 pg/mL, and 7248 ± 1396 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months, respectively; while in the DL group was 10 816 ± 779.7 pg/mL, 9531 ± 1245 pg/mL, and 9132 ± 1265 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 and 12 months, respectively. The mean concentration of Cat‐K in the IL group was observed at 422.1 ± 36.46 pg/mL, 242.9 ± 25.87 pg/mL, and 469 ± 75.38 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3, and 12 months, whereas in the DL group was 654.6 ± 152.9 pg/mL, 314.7 ± 28.29 pg/mL, and 539.8 ± 115.1 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion In this study, the levels of CatK and MMP‐8 levels decline at 12 months in both groups, and the IL group shows lower values compared to the DL group; however, no significant changes were observed after analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons (p > 0.025). Therefore, there is not much difference observed in the inflammation process between immediate and delayed loading. (Clinical trial identifier: CTRI/2017/09/009668).